A MAN suspected of smuggling methamphetamine to Guam via mail from California has entered a plea of guilty in federal court, admitting to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Benny D. Benavidez appeared for a change of plea hearing yesterday before Magistrate Judge Joaquin Manibusan in the District Court of Guam to plead guilty to an indictment charging him with conspiracy to distribute more than 5 but less than 50 grams of methamphetamine. In the plea agreement that was signed Friday, prosecutors will move the court to dismiss two counts of attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
According to court documents, Benavidez in March of last year picked up a postal package containing fake meth. Prior to pickup, postal inspectors intercepted the package which contained less than 50 grams of meth addressed to “Auntie Joann and Uncle Pete” in a post office box address registered to Benavidez’s girlfriend.
Five months later, another package containing less than 50 grams of meth from California was being sent to an “Auntie Tess and Uncle Togue” which Benavidez allegedly instructed a friend to pick up in August last year.
Upon attempting to claim the package, Benavidez’s friend was detained by federal agents for questioning. The friend stated he was picking up the package for Benavidez, who was apprehended shortly in the parking lot of the post office.
The plea agreement states that between March and August 2011, Benavidez conspired with others to distribute more than 5 but less than 50 grams of methamphetamine from California into Guam via mail, for purposes of further distribution and profit. Benavidez was expecting the packages and knew they contained the drugs, the plea agreement indicated.
For his crime, Benavidez may face a minimum of 10 years to no more than life imprisonment for his crime, the plea agreement states. His sentence will also be based on a prior conviction in the Superior Court of Guam. Benavidez was convicted in 2005 of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance as a third degree felony.
Benavidez was released on conditions yesterday to a third party custodian. A status hearing is scheduled for Oct. 23 before Magistrate Judge Manibusan.
Suspect pleads guilty to conspiracy to distribute meth
- Wednesday, 18 Jul 2012 03:30am
- BY GERALDINE CASTILLO | VARIETY NEWS STAFF
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