U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that MARTHA QUINONES, age 51, of Houston, Texas, pled guilty today to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute over one kilogram of heroin.
QUINONES was one of eight defendants charged in a 21-count Superseding Indictment on Sept. 18, 2015. According to court documents, this Indictment resulted from an FBI investigation into a heroin-trafficking organization operating primarily around Loyola Avenue and Harmony Street in Central City, New Orleans. QUINONES was one of two sources who traveled via Megabus from Houston to New Orleans, carrying half-kilogram quantities of heroin for distribution in the New Orleans area.
QUINONES is facing not less than 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, as well as a possible fine of up to $10,000,000. U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier set sentencing on Oct. 13, 2016.
U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the FBI New Orleans Gang Task Force (NOGTF), Saint Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department in investigating this matter. Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Long is in charge of the prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
