A Houston woman has been sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. This follows an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Alyssa Marie Maldonado, aged 40, received her sentence on February 25 from U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez. Her sentence includes three years of supervised release following her prison term. During the hearing, the court heard testimony regarding Maldonado's involvement in concealing drugs within a vehicle, which led to her conviction after she pleaded guilty on October 16, 2024.
"Today's sentencing underscores the serious consequences of fentanyl trafficking. ICE is committed to holding those responsible for distributing this deadly drug accountable and to working with our partners to protect communities from its devastating effects,” stated Mark Lippa, Deputy Special Agent in Charge at ICE Homeland Security Investigations Rio Grande Valley.
Court documents reveal that on March 24, 2024, Maldonado attempted entry into the United States via the Brownsville and Matamoros International Port of Entry. She initially denied carrying any contraband and provided false statements about her visit to Mexico. However, during a secondary inspection prompted by a K-9 alert, authorities found anomalies in the fuel tank of her vehicle. They discovered 22 packages testing positive for fentanyl with a total weight of 8.70 kilograms.
Maldonado was previously released on bond but was taken into custody following her sentencing. She will remain detained until transferred to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Blackmon from the Southern District of Texas.
