Tama man accused of stabbing man on Meskwaki Settlement

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Tama man is accused of stabbing another man multiple times last November during a fight at a house on the Meskwaki Settlement.

Victor Garcia, 25, who is affiliated with the Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi, was indicted in U.S. District Court last month on one count of assault causing serious bodily injury.

A federal judge ruled there was probable cause for the charge during a preliminary hearing last month and Garcia remained in jail pending trial.

Garcia pleaded not guilty during his arraignment earlier this month, and a trial is set for April 24.

Garcia is accused of repeatedly stabbing “R.G.,” as identified in the indictment and complaint, on Nov. 5, 2022 at a house on Meskwaki Road within the settlement.

When Meskwaki Nation police officers arrived, they found R.G. lying on the living room floor with multiple stab wounds and having trouble breathing, according to a criminal complaint.

Officers said there was a large wound on his abdomen and they could see “what appeared to be the victim’s internal organs,” the complaint stated. They administered first aid until medical personnel arrived.

Multiple witnesses were at the scene and it was alleged that Garcia stabbed the man, according to the complaint. Witnesses said there was an argument between R.G. and his girlfriend. Garcia then stepped in to calm down R.G. and the men started fighting outside. The fight continued inside the house and Garcia went into the kitchen and grabbed a knife.

One witness said the men were arguing in the kitchen and then “tackled” each other, the complaint stated. At one point, R.G. lunged at Garcia and then the two began to “scuffle” on the floor in the kitchen.

Another witness told police that R.G. told Garcia to stop multiple times.

According to the complaint, R.G. was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery. R.G., while in the hospital, confirmed to officers that Garcia, who was not injured, stabbed him.

R.G. remained in the hospital for about five days and part of his stay was in the intensive care unit, the complaint stated.

Officers conducted a search of the house following the stabbing. They found a large amount of blood on the kitchen floor and a large knife covered in blood.

If convicted, Garcia would face up to 10 years in federal prison.

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