Local probationer arrested on felony warrants for allegedly dealing drugs
A local probationer was arrested Monday morning on felony warrants for allegedly dealing drugs stemming from a sting operation by the Hot Springs Police Department’s Special Investigations Division in March.
William Michael Garibay, 51, of 2515 Spring St., was taken into custody in a traffic stop at Spring and McClendon streets and served with warrants for two counts of delivery of meth, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
Garibay pleaded not guilty to the charges Wednesday in Garland County District Court, and a felony review hearing is set for Feb. 16 to determine if the charges will be bound over to Garland County Circuit Court. Garibay remained in custody Thursday in lieu of a $100,000 bond.
According to court records, Garibay pleaded guilty on Aug.
10, 2020, to commercial burglary, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and was sentenced to 10 years supervised probation. He was previously arrested on Nov. 28, 2015, for commercial burglary, but it was later amended to a misdemeanor count of criminal trespass.
According to the probable cause affidavit on the warrants, between the dates of March 1 and March 25, the HSPD Special Investigations Division purchased 4.75 grams of meth from a white male positively identified as Garibay at 2515 Spring St.
Investigators allegedly made this purchase using a confidential informant who was given the funds provided by the HSPD. The informant was also given electronic surveillance equipment to assist in the documentation of the controlled purchase.
Prior to the purchase, the informant was met at a predetermined location and was searched for money and contraband to ensure the purchase was made under controlled conditions. Detectives reportedly maintained visual surveillance throughout the purchase of meth from Garibay.
Upon completion of the purchase, a portion of the substance was field tested and confirmed to be meth. The warrants for Garibay’s arrest were issued on Dec. 5.