ALBUQUERQUE - Ralonte Terrell Swain, 25, of Jasper, Ala., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to a methamphetamine trafficking charge. Swain entered the guilty plea under a plea agreement that recommends a sentence of a five-year term of imprisonment.
The DEA arrested Swain in June 2017, after seizing approximately 244.20 grams (.54 pounds) of crystal methamphetamine from him during an interdiction investigation at the Greyhound Bus Station in Albuquerque. The criminal complaint setting forth the charge against Swain indicated that the crystal methamphetamine was contained in a clear plastic, oblong shaped bundle concealed inside of a travel neck-type pillow.
Swain subsequently was indicted on June 28, 2017, and was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on June 5, 2017, in Bernalillo County, N.M.
During today’s change of plea hearing, Swain pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on June 5, 2017, he possessed approximately 244.40 grams of methamphetamine that was concealed inside of a travel neck pillow while traveling through Albuquerque. Swain further admitted that he intended to deliver the methamphetamine to another individual for further distribution when he reached his intended destination. Swain remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul H. Spiers.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
