A WOMAN believed to be the leader of a drug ring operating in the Philippines and Guam has been sentenced in District Court to serve 27 years in federal prison with credit for time served.
Gina Fresnoza Medina, 40, who Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood considered a drug “queenpin” for her role in being the top organizer of a drug scheme, was sentenced to 27 years for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine hydrochloride, or ice; 27 years for conspiracy to import ice; and 20 years for money laundering – all of which she will be serving concurrently.
Medina trafficked more than 1.5 kilograms of ice, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Karon Johnson, the prosecutor in the case. At an estimated $800 a gram, the drugs had a street value of more than $1.2 million. The drugs, the Chief Judge added, were of highest purity according to test results.
During yesterday’s sentencing, defense attorney Cynthia Ecube stated Medina was in an “unfortunate situation” and despite the government stating Medina was unable to provide substantial assistance, Medina provided investigators with names of drug suspects who were still “out there” and have not been prosecuted.
“We know that drug trafficking is a problem on Guam and it doesn’t end today,” Ecube said.
Medina has already served about two years and five months since her arrest. She won’t be able to get out of prison until she is 65 years old, the Chief Judge noted.
A request to be housed in a federal prison in Dublin, Calif., was granted, where Medina can enter into a drug treatment program, along with the opportunity to be close to family. Other requests by Medina, such as a last visit to co-defendants Henry Fresnoza, her brother, and Rodean Villa, her boyfriend, were denied. Fresnoza and Villa recently were sentenced for their role in Medina’s scheme.
As Chief Judge Tydingco-Gatewood concluded the sentencing, she made clear she had no sympathy for Medina.
“Your drug trafficking activities have been a menace to our island,” she told Medina.
Drug ring ‘queenpin’ gets 27 years in prison
- Tuesday, 30 Oct 2012 03:00am
- BY GERALDINE CASTILLO | VARIETY NEWS STAFF
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