Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Trafficking

Jackson, Miss. – Marco Antonio Munguia, Jr., 43, of Arizona, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves to possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.

On May 25, 2017, Meridian Police Department conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle. Munguia was the registered owner of the vehicle and seated in the passenger seat. The officer noticed that the passenger airbag comportment had been modified. A consensual search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 1.5 pounds of heroin and 1.25 pounds of methamphetamine from the hidden compartment. Munguia’s fingerprints were confirmed on that package containing the methamphetamine and heroin.

Munguia will be sentenced by Judge Reeves on September 24, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison followed by a $10 million fine.

The case was a joint investigation by the Meridian Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wansley.