Career criminal racks up 126 arrests

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Albuquerque police said they're outraged at the justice system after they arrested a man for the 126th time on Thursday.

The sheer number of pages in Kevin Garner’s criminal history could fill a novel.

Some of his current neighbors were stumped how this career criminal was allowed to be on the streets and in their neighborhood.

“We've actually noticed a big increase in traffic here lately just going up and down the street, late at night,” neighbor Jerry Field said.

Police said neighbors’ hunches were right.

Investigators said Garner, 42, was cook meth and peddling drugs out of his northwest Albuquerque home.

Garner was arrested and charged with trafficking a controlled substance.

For several weeks detectives were staking out Garner’s home near Unser and Ouray.

They believe the evidence they’ve rounded up is solid. Garner sold meth to informants for several weeks before the bust, according to police.

Early Thursday morning, Albuquerque SWAT raided the home and found all the ingredients for a meth lab.

“The chemicals, as well as you used to cook it, you use to cut it, to package it, the scales,” Public Safety Director Darren White said.
Police said they wonder if it will be enough this time.

“He should be at the penitentiary in Santa Fe, and he should have been there a long time ago, I don't maybe the 15, 20th arrest.” White said.

Garner’s first arrest in Albuquerque dates back to 1985.

Since then, he’s been in handcuffs nearly every year.

Garner’s long list of charges included aggravated burglary, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, auto theft, extortion, kidnapping, false imprisonment, assault on a police officer, bribery of a witness, child abuse and drug-dealing.

After hearing about Garner's past neighbors were stunned to find out the justice system allowed him to live in their neighborhood instead of behind bars.

“I think that’s a little absurd, I didn't know that until you told me,” Field said. "That leaves me to believe there is something wrong somewhere in the system.”

Police said Garner’s troubles may not be over. The auto theft team was called out to look at vehicle identification numbers from several vehicles found on his property, including a motorcycle in his living room, to make sure they are not stolen.

The city also boarded up the home saying it was a wreck. The city said there was a large amount of clutter and junk inside the home and there were major electrical hazards that could spark a fire.

Garner's bond is set at $100,000 cash only.

Police also arrested Jennifer Silva-Ziegler, 44, for drug trafficking. She was living at the home with Garner.