Date: 11-20-2020

Case Style:

Case Number: 1:19-cr-00535-CMA-GPG-5

Judge: Christine M. Arguello

Court: United States District Court for the District of Colorado (Denver County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney’s Office, Denver, Colorado

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description: Denver, Colorado criminal defense lawyer represent defendant charged with possession and distribution of methamphetamine and heroin as well as witness, victim or informant tampering.

Angelina Maestas, of Montrose, Colorado, was charged possession and distribution of methamphetamine and heroin as well as witness, victim or informant tampering.

According to court documents, including the stipulated facts contained in the defendants’ plea agreements, Maestas conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, 500 grams or more of a mixture of a substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, and less than 100 grams of heroin.

In addition to her drug charge, Maestas also committed witness, victim or informant tampering. According to court records, she posted discovery documents protected by court order on Facebook. This included material that identified at least one co-conspirator who Maestas alleged cooperated with police.

“This substantial sentence is an appropriate one for someone that caused tremendous damage to a small Colorado community and then tried to undermine the judicial process by intimidating a witness,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn. “We look forward to continuing the prosecutions in the case and ensuring that this drug ring is stomped out permanently.”

“The DEA applauds the sentencing of Maestas,” said Special Agent in Charge Deanne Reuter of the DEA Denver Field Division. “It sends a clear message that the people of this community won’t tolerate these peddlers selling these deadly poisons, or their attempts to intimidate witnesses.”

Maestas was sentenced to 130 months for the drug crimes, and 30 months for the witness, victim or informant tampering, with both sentences to run consecutive. U.S. District Court Judge Christine M. Arguello pronounced the sentences. Of the 13 defendants indicted in this case, 3, including Maestas, have pleaded guilty. The only other defendant who has so far been sentenced, Joseph Davis, was ordered to serve 151 months in federal prison. The cases against the other 10 defendants are pending.

This case was investigated by the DEA with substantial support from the Montrose Police Department and the Montrose County Sheriff.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. Related court documents can be found on PACER by searching for Case Numbers 19-cr-535 and 20-cr-0166. The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Phillips.

Title 21, United States Code, Section 846 did knowingly and intentionally conspire to distribute or possess with intent to distribute on or more of the following Controlled Substances: (1) 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), its salts isomers, and salts of its isomers, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; (2) 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, its salts isomers, and salts of its isomers, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; (3) 50 grams or more but less than 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, its salts isomers, and salts of its isomers, a Schedule II Controlled Substance; (4) less than 100 grams of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, a Schedule I Controlled Substance
(1)

Outcome: 11/18/2020 253 MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Judge Christine M. Arguello: Sentencing held by VIDEO TELECONFERENCE on 11/18/2020 as to Defendant Angelina Maestas. ORDERED: GRANTING Government's Oral Motion for a 3-level Decrease in Offense Level for Acceptance of Responsibility; DENYING 236 Defendant's Motion for Variant Sentence; GRANTING Government's Oral Motion to Dismiss Counts. Defendant sentenced as reflected on the record. Defendant present in custody; Defendant remanded.(Total time: 26 Minutes, Hearing time: 10:57 a.m. -- 11:49 a.m. (Time Split with Case No. 20-cr-00166-CMA)

APPEARANCES: Zachary Phillips on behalf of the Government; Maeve Goodbody on behalf of the Defendant; Michelle Sinaka on behalf of Probation. Court Reporter: Darlene Martinez. (swest) Text Only Entry (Entered: 11/18/2020)
11/18/2020 254 MOTION to Dismiss Counts (Remaining Counts of the Indictment) by USA as to Angelina Maestas. (Phillips, Zachary) (Entered: 11/18/2020)
11/18/2020 255 MOTION for Decrease for Acceptance of Responsibility by USA as to Angelina Maestas. (Phillips, Zachary) (Entered: 11/18/2020)
11/18/2020 257 ORDER Denying as moot 254 Motion to Dismiss Counts and 255 Motion for Decrease for Acceptance of Responsibility as to Angelina Maestas (5) pursuant to Sentencing Minute Entry (Doc. #253). SO ORDERED by Judge Christine M. Arguello on 11/18/2020. Text Only Entry (cmasec) (Entered: 11/18/2020)

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