Kingwood woman sentenced to federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine and firearms violation

BEAUMONT, Texas –A Kingwood convicted felon has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Ashley Nicole Ponce, 36, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on December 19, 2025.

According to information presented in court, on October 30, 2024, law enforcement responded to a domestic disturbance call involving a man and a woman at a Corrigan convenience store.  As a result, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle linked to the disturbance, and a search of the vehicle revealed drugs, including methamphetamine, drug trafficking paraphernalia, and a firearm.  Ponce admitted to owning the drugs and firearm. Further investigation revealed Ponce was a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; and Corrigan Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaston.

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