Holmark Garces, 35, from Bay Shore, has been sentenced to 27 to 30 years in prison for kidnapping his ex-girlfriend at knifepoint and other related charges. The sentencing follows a jury's guilty verdict on several counts including kidnapping and criminal possession of a weapon.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney commented on the case, saying: "No one should have to live in fear, especially at the hands of someone who once claimed to love them. In Suffolk County, we will not tolerate domestic violence. My office will continue to protect survivors of domestic violence by holding perpetrators fully accountable for their actions. We stand with them and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure their safety and justice."
The trial evidence revealed that in October 2019, Garces exhibited controlling and abusive behavior towards the victim while they lived together in Bay Shore. He isolated her from her family and friends and monitored her activities by taking her cellphone.
After the victim moved out in December 2019, Garces continued his manipulative behavior. On November 24, 2020, an order of protection was issued for the victim, but Garces repeatedly violated it over the next two years through stalking incidents that led to multiple arrests.
On November 22, 2021, Garces violated the order again by appearing at the victim's home and taking her phone. The police arrested him for Criminal Contempt in the First Degree after she called them.
In another violation on June 26, 2022, he approached the victim at Wildwood State Park and called her names. Then on August 23, he attempted to force her into his car while she was walking home. Bystanders intervened by calling the police.
Garces continued this behavior until October 12, when he abducted her from Brentwood while holding a knife to her leg during a drive to Brooklyn. Witnesses heard her screams and reported it. The victim managed to alert her son via text message using a GPS tracking application they both had installed.
Police tracked Garces' vehicle using this GPS data and pursued him as he tried to evade arrest by driving away at high speed before being apprehended in Brooklyn after crashing into NYPD vehicles.
Garces was convicted on May 9 of several charges including Kidnapping in the Second Degree (a Class B violent felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (a Class D felony), five counts of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree (Class E felonies), Menacing in the Second Degree (a Class A misdemeanor), and Harassment in the First Degree (a Class B misdemeanor). Justice John B. Collins sentenced him on October 30.
Assistant District Attorneys Michelle Chiuchiolo and Dana Castaldo prosecuted this case with investigative support from Detective Lorraine Winters of Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and members of Suffolk County Police Department’s Third Precinct.