Gila Bend Woman Sentenced to 17+ Years for Meth Distribution

TUCSON, Ariz. Arlene Martinez, 38, of Gila Bend, Arizona, was sentenced in Tucson to 210 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson. Martinez pleaded guilty on August 2, 2005 to one count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. As part of a written plea agreement, Martinez admitted that she had participated in a conspiracy to distribute approximately 384 grams of methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney Paul K. Charlton stated that ""No drug is more destructive, takes more lives, and ruins more families than meth. This sentence reflects that reality." FBI Special Agent in Charge, Jana D. Monroe stated, "Methamphetamine ranks high among illicit drugs which infect our communities, diminishing the quality of life. Users of Methamphetamine reduce their abilities to maintain employment and care for children. Individuals selling the drug attract an element to their residential areas which is responsible for property crimes as well as violent crimes. The FBI remains committed to working with other agencies and communities to combat the threat posed by Methamphetamine." This case was part of a joint investigation targeting individuals involved in suppling methamphetamine on or near the Tohono O'odham Nation. Over the course of several months, officials from the FBI, Bureau of Indian Affairs (Drug Enforcement) and the Tohono O'odham Police Department conducted a series of undercover purchases of methamphetamine. Their efforts led to the indictment of four individuals including Martinez. Co-defendant Carmen Acosta, 43, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine. In addition to Martinez' sentencing on February 8, 2006, Acosta was sentenced the same day to 60 months in prison for her role in the conspiracy. Two additional defendants have been indicted and are pending trial in this case. An indictment is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The investigation in this case was conducted by the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (Drug Enforcement) and the Tohono O'odham Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Brad Giles, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.