Arizona Woman Sentenced to Over 3 Years for Methamphetamine Trafficking

An Arizona Woman’s Descent into Drug Trafficking

A 28-year-old Arizona woman has been sentenced to 42 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for her role in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy.

Angelica Avendano, also known as Angeleica Avendano-Gonzalez, was found guilty of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine in the Western District of Arkansas. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, Avendano was the girlfriend and co-conspirator of Oscar David Zuniga-Chavez, a methamphetamine source of supply for local distributors of the drug. In November 2017, during an investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine in the Western District of Arkansas, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) identified Avendano as a key player in the conspiracy.

Agents with the DEA Fayetteville Resident Office traveled to Arizona, where they assisted DEA agents and task force officers from Phoenix in the execution of a federal search warrant at Avendano’s residence in Peoria, AZ. On December 8, 2016, agents made contact with Avendano at the residence and advised her of her Miranda rights. During the interview, she waived her rights and admitted to sending multiple packages containing methamphetamine to the Western District of Arkansas for distribution.

Avendano was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2017 and pleaded guilty in January 2018. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with Assistant United States Attorney Kim Harris prosecuting the case for the United States.

The case highlights the ongoing struggle against methamphetamine trafficking in the Western District of Arkansas. As the investigation into Avendano’s activities continues, it remains to be seen whether others will be brought to justice for their roles in the conspiracy.