Methamphetamine and fentanyl dealer sentenced to 25 years in Corpus Christi

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 45-year-old Houston woman has been ordered to federal prison for possessing and distributing numerous illegal drugs between Houston and Rockport, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Cheri Ann Palmer pleaded guilty Sept. 26, 2024.

U.S. District Judge David Morales has now ordered her to serve 240 months for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in addition to 60 months for possession of a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. The sentences will be served consecutively for a total of 25 years in federal prison which will be immediately followed by a three-year-term of supervised release.

“The Southern District of Texas does not tolerate drug traffickers,” said Ganjei. “Drugs, especially methamphetamine and fentanyl, destroy lives and damage communities. Our Corpus Christi office did great work taking this dealer off the streets.”

On Oct. 2, 2023, law enforcement responded to a disturbance at a local motel. There, they encountered Palmer along with a backpack that contained 388.1 grams of methamphetamine, 3.1 grams of heroin and a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol. Upon searching the motel room associated with Palmer, authorities also discovered an additional 249.9 grams of methamphetamine and 28.45 grams of fentanyl in a box. Palmer admitted that the fentanyl and methamphetamine had been smuggled in from Mexico.

The investigation led to Houston where law enforcement witnessed Palmer loading backpacks and containers into a GMC Denali in Houston. A traffic stop and subsequent search resulted in the discovery of 590.76 grams of methamphetamine, 81.5 grams of fentanyl analogue, 71.85 grams of heroin mixed with fentanyl, 442 grams of marijuana and 10 grams of cocaine.

Authorities also found 1,679 assorted blue, pink and white pills marked M30 intended to replicate Oxycodone pills. However, the pills actually contained fentanyl mixed with traces of methamphetamine, heroin, Xylazine, acetaminophen, benzocaine, caffeine, lidocaine and quinine.

The investigation revealed Palmer had been dealing drugs in the Houston area for several years.

Palmer has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals Service, Rockport Police Department and Harris County Sherriff Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Yasmine K. Tucker and Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.