New Jersey Woman Pleads Guilty to Possessing and Distributing Methamphetamine

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A resident of Camden, NJ pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal narcotics laws, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

Beatrice Ortiz, age 34, pleaded guilty to a lesser-included offense at Count Two of the Indictment before Senior United States District Judge Kim R. Gibson.

In connection with the guilty plea, on or around October 25, 2018, Ortiz possessed with the intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Judge Gibson scheduled sentencing for April 5, 2023. The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Maureen Sheehan-Balchon is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation- Laurel Highlands Resident Agency and the Cambria County Drug Task Force conducted the investigation that led to the successful prosecution of Ortiz.