Albuquerque Man Charged in Alleged Jail Escape Plot

Suspect accused of stockpiling guns, cash to help inmate flee custody

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:19am

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An extreme close-up of a handgun magazine loaded with ammunition, reflecting the harsh, direct lighting and dramatic shadows of a gritty, investigative aesthetic, conceptually representing the tools used in an alleged jail escape plot.The stockpiling of weapons and cash exposed a suspected plot to help an inmate escape from custody, highlighting the ongoing security challenges facing correctional facilities.Albuquerque Today

Authorities have charged a local man, Crisantos Garcia, with helping an inmate, Dakota Briscoe, plan an elaborate escape from jail. Garcia allegedly hid a gun and cash at a hospital where Briscoe was to be transferred after faking a medical emergency, with the goal of then fleeing to Mexico.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in preventing inmate escapes, which can pose serious public safety risks. It also sheds light on the potential involvement of gang members in such schemes and the need for robust security measures in correctional facilities.

The details

According to investigators, Garcia, a suspected West Side Locos gang member and convicted felon, assisted Briscoe, who is serving a 25-year federal sentence for a violent crime spree in 2020. Briscoe allegedly instructed Garcia to hide a gun and cash at the University of New Mexico Hospital, where Briscoe planned to be transferred after faking a medical emergency. The goal was for Briscoe to then flee to Mexico after the escape, but police were able to thwart the plan.

  • In April 2026, Crisantos Garcia was charged in connection with the alleged escape plot.
  • Briscoe is currently serving a 25-year federal prison sentence for a 2020 crime spree.

The players

Crisantos Garcia

A local man and suspected West Side Locos gang member who was charged with helping an inmate plan an escape from jail.

Dakota Briscoe

An inmate serving a 25-year federal prison sentence for a violent crime spree in 2020, who allegedly planned the escape scheme with Garcia's help.

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What’s next

Garcia now faces up to 40 years in prison in connection with the alleged escape scheme.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for heightened security measures in correctional facilities to prevent inmates from orchestrating elaborate escape plans with the help of outside accomplices.