California Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking Charge in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – Toniette Rochelle Doty, 47, of San Bernardino, Calif., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to a methamphetamine trafficking charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The DEA arrested Doty in March 2017, after seizing approximately 1.10 kilograms (2.42 pounds) of marijuana and 0.9 kilograms (1.98 pounds) of methamphetamine from her during an interdiction investigation at the Greyhound Bus Station in Albuquerque.  The marijuana and methamphetamine were contained in eight bundles inside of Doty’s luggage.

Doty subsequently was indicted on March 14, 2017, and was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on March 1, 2017, in Bernalillo County, N.M.

During today’s change of plea hearing, Doty pled guilty to a felony information charging her with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  In entering the guilty plea, Doty admitted that on March 1, 2017, she transported approximately 0.9 kilograms of methamphetamine from Los Angeles, Calif., to Albuquerque on the Greyhound Bus.  Doty further admitted that she intended to give the methamphetamine to another individual when she reached her destination of Little Rock, Arkansas, for further distribution.   

At sentencing, Doty faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rumaldo R. Armijo.