Amarillo Women Sentenced To Lengthy Federal Prison Sentences For Running Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy

Law Enforcement Discovered More Than 33 Kilograms of Meth in Vehicle

AMARILLO, Texas — Today, Delmy Nohemy Hernandez, 36, aka Delmy Nohemy Pena De Hernandez, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mary Lou Robinson to 133 months in federal prison following her guilty plea in March 2013 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Yesterday, codefendant Lilia Rivera, aka Lilia Rivera-Martinez, 44, was sentenced by Judge Robinson to 97 months in federal prison. Rivera pleaded guilty to the same offense. The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña of the Northern District of Texas.

According to documents filed in the case, Rivera was introduced to Hernandez in October 2012 by a mutual friend. Hernandez offered Rivera an opportunity to transport controlled substances. That same month, they began making plans to transport controlled substances by vehicle for a male acquaintance. The controlled substances would be concealed in the vehicle and the women would be paid for transporting it.

In December 2012, Rivera and Hernandez, both residents of Amarillo, went to the Potter County tax office and registered a vehicle in Rivera’s name. The vehicle, a SUV, had been purchased by the male acquaintance who gave them cash to pay for the SUV’s registration, even though he maintained possession of it.

On December 18, 2012, the male acquaintance advised Hernandez and Rivera that they would be making a trip in the SUV to transport a controlled substance. Rivera was to be paid for transporting the substance and Rivera told Hernandez that she would give her some of the money.

On December 20, 2012, Rivera and Hernandez were stopped by law enforcement on U.S. 287 in Carson County, as they were headed to Houston, knowing that they were transporting a controlled substance. During that traffic stop, law enforcement asked the vehicle’s driver, Rivera, for consent to search the vehicle. Subsequently law enforcement discovered 33.6 kilograms of methamphetamine secreted in the vehicle. Rivera and Hernandez were arrested and have been in custody since that time.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Armstrong and Carson County Sheriff’s Offices and the Amarillo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vicki Lamberson was in charge of the prosecution.