Anita A. Cruz Sentenced to Prison in Ice Trafficking Case

          SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that defendant ANITA A. CRUZ, age 60, from Yigo, was sentenced yesterday in District Court, to 30 months imprisonment for Distribution of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§  841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).  The Court also ordered CRUZ to pay a mandatory $100 assessment fee, serve three years of supervised release after her term of imprisonment and complete 50 hours of community service.  In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.

          On May 15, 2017, CRUZ entered a guilty plea to distribution of methamphetamine hydrochloride.  The investigation revealed that CRUZ distributed over seven (7) grams of methamphetamine with a purity level of over 97%.  Guam Police Department Neighborhood Patrol Division had conducted a traffic stop in May 31, 2013 and discovered methamphetamine on the passenger and in the vehicle.  The Violent Street Crimes Task Force, also known as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Task Force (ATF Task Force) conducted further investigation which led to the Defendant who was distributing methamphetamine.   

          Judge Ramona V. Manglona ruled that the sentence of 30 months imprisonment was fair and reasonable and noted the harm drugs cause to our islands. The Court urged Defendant, who the court described as in her “golden plus” years, to take advantage of intensive drug treatment while in prison, to assist her in overcoming her serious drug addiction, in hopes that she may return some day to Guam and become a productive member of society.

          ATF Task Force conducted the investigation and credit is also given to the Guam Police Department who initiated the traffic stop.  The sentencing was handled by Belinda Alcantara, an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Guam.