Arizona Woman Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine in Iowa

 Paniagua-Trejo had previous drug convictions in Iowa and Minnesota.

A woman who possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine pled guilty December 8, 2020, in federal court in Sioux City.

Brisa Paniagua-Trejo, 40, from Casa Grande, Arizona, was convicted of one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. 

At the plea hearing, Paniagua-Trejo admitted that on February 5, 2020, a Woodbury County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle she was driving. Upon conducting a search within the vehicle, law enforcement discovered approximately 75 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 30 grams of cocaine, a used marijuana pipe, drug paraphernalia, several phones, two scales, and four rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.  Paniagua-Trejo was previously convicted of possession with intent to manufacture/deliver methamphetamine, in the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County, and drug possession in the Minnesota District Court for Faribault County.

Sentencing before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand will be set after a presentence report is prepared.  Paniagua-Trejo remains in custody of the United States Marshal and will remain in custody pending sentencing.  Paniagua-Trejo faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment and a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a $10,000,000 fine, and at least 5 years up to life of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.