Baron Garto was the male head of one the Nine Houses, the crime families that ruled the planet Shikaakwa, and a rival of Baron Volnos Ryo in Clan Ryo. Sometime before 25,793 BBY, Ryo dealt a blow against Garto, earning Garto's enmity, and in revenge Garto hired the Devaronian assassin Jaris Kan to kill Volnos Ryo, though Kan ultimately failed in his attempt.