United States of America v. Marlene Saldierna

Fayetteville, Arkansas drug distribution charge criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant.

Police officers learned from a confidential informant (CI) that Saldierna was distributing methamphetamine. Using this CI, officers arranged a series of controlled purchases from Saldierna. During the first purchase, Saldierna informed the CI that she would give them more methamphetamine. Saldierna sold methamphetamine to the CI four more times. Two of those times, Saldierna fronted the CI with methamphetamine and requested payment through Cash App.



During one sale, Saldierna contacted the CI and asked them to provide transportation for the drug transaction. Once together, Saldierna instructed the CI to take her to the United States courthouse in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Upon arriving at the courthouse, Saldierna walked into the building to meet with her probation officer. After the visit, Saldierna returned to the vehicle and told the CI that she failed a drug test for alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine, and pills. Saldierna also admitted that she was avoiding her probation officer because she had been testing positive for drugs. Saldierna and the CI then left, and Saldierna sold the CI methamphetamine.



A federal grand jury indicted Saldierna on three counts of distributing methamphetamine. Saldierna entered a guilty plea to Count I of the indictment that charged her with distributing methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). On August 2, 2023, the district court approved Saldierna's guilty plea and held a sentencing hearing. The court calculated Saldierna's Guidelines range as 100 to 125 months' imprisonment and sentenced her to 120 months. Saldierna argues that her sentence is substantively unreasonable.

Affirmed on appeal.