Jackelyne Marroquin of Carrollton, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to charges related to possessing with intent to distribute over 760 pounds of methamphetamine and harboring illegal aliens in connection with a drug trafficking operation in the Atlanta area.
According to information presented in court, Marroquin rented a home in Stone Mountain, Georgia, which was used by a drug trafficking organization as a storage and distribution site for large quantities of methamphetamine. Investigators found that the drugs were imported from Mexico concealed in bags of charcoal. Law enforcement discovered buckets of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), which is often used by traffickers to dilute methamphetamine for profit.
On April 2, 2024, federal agents executed a search warrant at the Stone Mountain residence and found approximately 760 pounds of nearly pure methamphetamine. The estimated street value ranged from $1.45 million to $1.9 million. Two individuals from Mexico, Jonathan Guzman Esquivel and Alfonso Calderon-Rodriguez, were living at the property and involved in distributing drugs from there. The investigation showed that Marroquin provided them with housing and financial support.
Marroquin’s sentencing is scheduled for April 23, 2026, before U.S. District Judge Steven D. Grimberg. The court will consider federal sentencing guidelines when determining her sentence.
Guzman Esquivel and Calderon-Rodriguez previously pleaded guilty to similar charges and were each sentenced in late 2024 to five years and ten months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Marshals Service with assistance from local law enforcement agencies including DeKalb County HIDTA Unit and Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated: “Marroquin harbored illegal aliens to operate a metro-Atlanta drug distribution ring,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “As a result of unwavering law enforcement dedication, this insidious trafficking network has been dismantled, and well over a million dollars’ worth of lethal drugs have been removed from our streets. The Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners will continue to protect the public by ensuring North Georgia is never a haven for criminal cartels.”
Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division said: “Today’s guilty plea reinforces that DEA will not tolerate drug traffickers,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “Those who fuel the drug trade while putting communities and vulnerable individuals at risk will face serious consequences.”
John B. Stevens, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal added: “Jackelyne Marroquin trafficked illicit drugs and utilized illegal aliens in the furtherance of that crime,” said John B. Stevens, Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal. “The U.S. Marshals, along with our partners in the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration, will never stop our pursuit of criminals. The mission of enhancing public safety is vital, and we are honored that it is our responsibility. No matter how long a criminal runs, we will find them, and they will pay.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew LaGrone prosecuted the case with assistance from former Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy M. Palumbo.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations—and also forms part of efforts under Executive Order 14159 through the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF). The HSTF brings together multiple federal agencies such as ATF, DEA, FBI among others along with state agencies for coordinated action against organized crime.
The U.S Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia serves as the principal federal law enforcement agency for north Georgia—including Atlanta—handling major criminal prosecutions like this one while working closely with other agencies on issues such as drug trafficking across its jurisdiction serving millions across urban centers and rural areas alike.
For more information about dangers associated with drugs or about this office’s work visit www.justthinktwice.gov or contact their Public Affairs Office listed on their official website.
