Suffolk Reporter

Holmark Garces, a 35-year-old man 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.

District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney emphasized the commitment of his office to combat domestic violence: "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," said Tierney. "My office will continue to protect survivors of domestic violence by holding perpetrators fully accountable for their actions."

The trial revealed that in October 2019, Garces became extremely controlling and abusive towards the victim while they lived together in Bay Shore. He isolated her from family and friends and monitored her activities by taking her cellphone. After she moved out in December 2019, Garces continued his manipulative behavior.

A stay-away order of protection was issued on November 24, 2020, but Garces repeatedly violated it over the next two years. He stalked the victim at various locations including her home and workplace, leading to multiple arrests.

On several occasions between November 2021 and September 2022, Garces violated the order of protection by appearing uninvited at places where the victim was present. These incidents included taking her phone from her backyard, approaching her at Wildwood State Park, attempting to force her into his car while she walked home, and showing up at her residence.

The situation escalated on October 12, 2022. Around 8:30 p.m., Garces abducted the victim while she was walking home in Brentwood. Witnesses heard her screams and called 911 as Garces forced her into his car at knifepoint and drove towards Brooklyn. During this drive, the victim managed to alert her son via text message using a GPS tracking application.

Suffolk County Police used this information to locate Garces' vehicle with the victim inside. Despite attempts to evade capture by speeding away and crashing into NYPD vehicles in Brooklyn, Garces was arrested at the scene with a kitchen knife found in his car.

Garces faced multiple charges related to these events:

- One count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree

- One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree

- Five counts of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree

- One count of Menacing in the Second Degree

- One count of Harassment in the First Degree

Justice John B. Collins sentenced him on October 30, 2024. John Halverson represented Garces during this case prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Michelle Chiuchiolo and Dana Castaldo from the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau.