Moultrie Woman Pleads Guilty To Possession With Intent To Distribute Methamphetamine

ALBANY: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that Maria Quijano, age 33, of Moultrie, Georgia, pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine before District Court Judge Leslie Abrams in Albany, Georgia on September 4, 2018.  This plea subjects Ms. Quijano to a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison, up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a maximum fine of $10 million, or both.

In her plea agreement, Ms. Quijano admitted that on September 24, 2016, Georgia State Patrol (GSP) Troopers were conducting an authorized child restraint checkpoint in Grady County.  Ms. Quijano stopped at the checkpoint, and a GSP trooper noticed the smell of burnt marijuana coming from her car.  A search of the car revealed 1 large bag of methamphetamine, 18 small baggies of methamphetamine, a Jimenez Arms 9mm handgun, a digital scale, and a small quantity of marijuana.  Lab testing showed the methamphetamine weighed 163 grams with a purity of 79%.

Ms. Quijano was transported to the Sheriff’s office, where she waived her Miranda rights and spoke to the police.  Ms. Quijano admitted that she was working off a debt to her drug suppliers by picking up drugs in Florida and Texas for them, and she had been doing so for 2-3 months.  Ms. Quijano explained that she would transfer a portion of the methamphetamine to a supplier, and that she was responsible for selling the rest.  Ms. Quijano admitted that the gun belonged to her.

The case was investigated by the Grady County Sheriff’s Department, the Georgia State Patrol, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah E. McEwen.

Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.