ALBUQUERQUE – Linda Styler, 66, of Rio Rancho, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 18 months in prison for her conviction on methamphetamine trafficking charges. Styler will be on supervised release for two years after completing her prison sentence.
Styler and co-defendant Edward Lucero, 41, also of Rio Rancho, were arrested on Jan. 6, 2016, on a four-count indictment charging them with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in July and Aug. 2015; distributing methamphetamine on July 31, 2015; and possessing distribution quantities of methamphetamine on Aug. 27, 2015. Styler and Lucero were charged with committing the crimes in Sandoval County, N.M.
On Sept. 30, 2016, Styler pled guilty to the indictment. In her plea agreement, Styler admitted supplying Lucero with 24.3 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine on July 22, 2015, which Lucero distributed to an undercover agent. She also admitted supplying Lucero with 47.3 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine on July 31, 2015, which Lucero distributed to an undercover agent. According to the plea agreement, on Aug. 27, 2015, law enforcement agents seized approximately 230 grams of methamphetamine while executing a search warrant at Styler’s Rio Rancho residence.
Lucero pled guilty on Oct. 6, 2016, to an information charging him with distributing methamphetamine. In entering the guilty plea, Lucero admitted that on July 31, 2015, sold 47.2 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent. At sentencing, Lucero faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. He is currently scheduled for sentencing on March 7, 2017.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristopher N. Houghton.