Monica Dominguez Torres, a 36-year-old from Mexico, has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Her organization operated methamphetamine conversion labs in the Atlanta area and laundered millions of dollars back to Mexico.
"Dominguez’s elaborate criminal operation has been dismantled, and more than $3.5 million of illicit drug proceeds have been seized as a result of our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners’ diligent work," said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. He emphasized the commitment of his office to prosecute individuals involved in drug trafficking.
Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, remarked on the removal of this network from the streets due to hard work, noting its disregard for community impact.
Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama, highlighted the strong message sent by this conviction against illegal activities funded luxury lifestyles.
Special Agent Demetrius Hardeman from IRS Criminal Investigation noted that Dominguez's organization threatened national security and underscored ongoing efforts with various agencies to bring such criminals to justice.
The court was informed that Dominguez's group converted liquid methamphetamine into crystal form for sale in Atlanta and elsewhere. They also used residences for cash collection from drug sales which were then laundered back to Mexico.
Dominguez invested heavily in real estate and luxury items using these proceeds. The investigation uncovered purchases including five homes and nine luxury vehicles worth about $780,000. She also spent extensively on high-end goods over several years.
During her arrest at her Conyers home in February 2024, agents seized over $1.7 million cash along with firearms and vehicles.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 15, 2025. Dominguez faces significant penalties including a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years up to life imprisonment for drug trafficking charges; additional penalties apply for money laundering convictions.
This case involves multiple agencies like the DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigations among others as part of Operation Take Back America aimed at combating transnational crime organizations.
Assistant United States Attorneys John T. DeGenova and Nicholas L. Evert are prosecuting this case under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative focusing on eliminating major criminal syndicates within Georgia's Northern District through collaborative agency efforts.
For further information contact U.S Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280.
