A St. Clair County woman has been sentenced for drug trafficking offenses, according to U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona. U.S. District Court Judge Corey L. Maze sentenced Claudia Montano Gonzalez, 43, originally from Mexico, to 39 months in prison. In October 2024, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The plea agreement states that in October 2023, Gonzalez sold fentanyl at the Buc-ees travel center in Leeds, Alabama. Her husband and co-defendant, David Angel Alejandres, facilitated the transaction from Mexico while Gonzalez delivered the fentanyl. A search warrant executed at Gonzalez's residence in Pell City led agents to recover approximately one kilogram of fentanyl.
In June 2024, David Alejandres was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Alejandres is currently at large.
The Drug Enforcement Agency is investigating the case alongside the Pell City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany T. Byrd is handling prosecution duties.
It should be noted that an indictment contains only charges and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
