Montrose Resident Sentenced To Serve Over 13 Years In Federal Prison For Possession and Distribution of Methamphetamine and Heroin as well as Witness Intimidation

DENVER – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that Angelina Maestas, of Montrose, Colorado, was sentenced yesterday to serve a total of 160 months (over 13 years) in federal prison for possession and distribution of methamphetamine and heroin as well as witness, victim or informant tampering.  Following her prison sentence, Maestas was ordered to serve 5 years on supervised release.  Maestas is 1 of 13 people indicted in January of 2020 as part of a large-scale drug trafficking investigation in Montrose.  The Denver Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration joined in this announcement.

According to court documents, including the stipulated facts contained in the defendants’ plea agreements, Maestas conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture of a substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and less than 100 grams of heroin.  

In addition to her drug charge, Maestas also committed witness, victim or informant tampering. According to court records, she posted discovery documents protected by court order on Facebook.  This included material that identified at least one co-conspirator who Maestas alleged cooperated with police. 

“This substantial sentence is an appropriate one for someone that caused tremendous damage to a small Colorado community and then tried to undermine the judicial process by intimidating a witness,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn.  “We look forward to continuing the prosecutions in the case and ensuring that this drug ring is stomped out permanently.”

“The DEA applauds the sentencing of Maestas,” said Special Agent in Charge Deanne Reuter of the DEA Denver Field Division. “It sends a clear message that the people of this community won’t tolerate these peddlers selling these deadly poisons, or their attempts to intimidate witnesses.” 

Maestas was sentenced to 130 months for the drug crimes, and 30 months for the witness, victim or informant tampering, with both sentences to run consecutive.  U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello pronounced the sentences.  Of the 13 defendants indicted in this case, 3, including Maestas, have pleaded guilty.  The only other defendant who has so far been sentenced, Joseph Davis, was ordered to serve 151 months in federal prison.  The cases against the other 10 defendants are pending.

This case was investigated by the DEA with substantial support from the Montrose Police Department and the Montrose County Sheriff. 

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado.  Related court documents can be found on PACER by searching for Case Numbers 19-cr-535 and 20-cr-0166.  The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Phillips. 

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice.  Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.