Tara K. McGrath, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California
U.S. District Court Judge Todd Robinson sentenced Lucresia Stone-Rojas from San Diego to 86 months in prison. Stone-Rojas was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on November 12, 2023, and possession with intent to distribute heroin on December 27, 2023. She had pleaded guilty to these charges in federal court.
Court records reveal that Stone-Rojas was stopped by police on November 12, 2023, after a stolen Porsche was detected near North Second Street and East Main Street in El Cajon. During the stop, authorities found a loaded 9mm Walther firearm and an additional ammunition magazine. As Stone-Rojas has multiple prior felony convictions, she is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case leading to her charge of unlawful firearm possession.
On December 27, 2023, federal investigators arrested Stone-Rojas again for possessing sealed packages addressed to inmates in the California Department of Corrections. A search revealed two Bibles containing approximately 23 grams of heroin concealed within their spines. These were intended for delivery to two different California prisons.
“Smuggling drugs into our prisons endangers both the inmates and the correctional staff. It will not be tolerated,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “Hopefully this case will serve as a warning to anyone who would be willing to abuse the tools of faith and rehabilitation to perpetuate addiction and despair.”
Kenneth R. Cooper, ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge, stated: “Multi-convicted felons who possess firearms will be held accountable as we work to keep our communities safe and firearms out of the hands of prohibited people.” He added that ATF would continue collaborating with local and state law enforcement agencies against violent career criminals illegally possessing firearms.
“Drug distribution, no matter where it occurs, threatens the safety of our community and will not be tolerated,” remarked DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Clark.
The defendant's details are as follows: Lucresia Stone-Rojas is aged 46 from San Diego, CA under Case Number 23CR2622 (TWR). The charges include Felon in Possession of a Firearm under Title 18 U.S.C., Section 922(g)(1), which carries a maximum penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine; Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin under Title 21 U.S.C., Section 841(a)(1), carrying a maximum penalty of up to 20 years imprisonment and a $1 million fine.
This case forms part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce gun violence through collaboration among all levels of law enforcement and communities.
