ALBUQUERQUE – Natalie Orozco, 30, of Los Angeles, Calif., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to a methamphetamine trafficking charge. The plea agreement recommends that Orozco be sentenced to ten years of imprisonment followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court. The guilty plea was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney and Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy of the DEA’s El Paso Division.
The DEA arrested Orozco in May 2016, after seizing approximately 1.4 kilograms (3.08 pounds) of methamphetamine from her during an interdiction investigation at the Amtrak Train Station in Albuquerque. During a post-arrest statement, Orozco acknowledged that she was transporting the methamphetamine to Indianapolis, Ind., in exchange for money.
Orozco subsequently was indicted on May 25, 2016, and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on May 9, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M.
During today’s proceedings, Orozco pled guilty to the indictment and admitted possessing methamphetamine concealed inside a backpack while traveling to Albuquerque on an Amtrak Train on May 9, 2016. Orozco also admitted that she was transporting the methamphetamine for money. Orozco remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eva Fontanez.