Amanda Marie Catoe, Methamphetamine Conspiracy, Virginia 2019

Luray Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Charge

Amanda Marie Catoe, 32, pleaded guilty on January 8, 2019, to conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The charges stem from a traffic stop in January 2019.

According to court documents, officers stopped Catoe's vehicle for driving with a suspended license. A narcotics canine arrived on scene and alerted to the vehicle. Upon searching the vehicle, officers found several bags of methamphetamine, marijuana, and cash.

A search warrant was executed at Catoe's residence in Luray. Officers found methamphetamine hidden under the stairs, hallucinogenic mushrooms, morphine, psilocyn, documents detailing prior drug transactions, and at least ten firearms, including four shotguns and four rifles.

Catoe faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison. She will be sentenced on April 21, 2021.

“Methamphetamine continues to plague communities in the Western District,” Acting U.S. Attorney Bubar stated today. “Prosecuting those that distribute meth and therefore perpetuate the destruction caused by it continues to be a top priority of this office and I appreciate the hard work of our federal and state partners that went into this case.”

The investigation of the case was conducted by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm, and Explosives, Luray Police Department, and Page County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jeb Terrien is prosecuting the case for the United States.

Amanda Marie Catoe, a 32-year-old resident of Luray, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and one count of possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

Defendant: Amanda Marie Catoe

Criminal Charges: Conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possessing with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine

City and State: Harrisonburg, Va.

Exact Date: January 8, 2019

Sentence or Outcome: Mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum statutory sentence of life in prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdva/pr/luray-woman-pleads-guilty-federal-drug-conspiracy-charge