Christina Lua Sentenced for Money Laundering Conspiracy, Boston MA, 2024

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Boston Woman Sentenced for Money Laundering

A California woman was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for her role in a money laundering conspiracy involving proceeds of methamphetamine and marijuana distribution. Christina Lua, 51, of Santa Rosa, allegedly laundered over $200,000 of her husband’s drug proceeds.

According to authorities, the investigation into Lua’s husband, Reshat Alkayisi, began in October 2020. Alkayisi was identified as a large-scale methamphetamine trafficker who distributed multi-pound quantities to distributors throughout the New England area. Lua assisted Alkayisi in laundering his drug proceeds, including by purchasing vehicles with cash drug proceeds, and by depositing cash drug proceeds in amounts less than $10,000 so as to conceal the nature of the funds and to avoid reporting requirements.

During the investigation, over 160 pounds of pure methamphetamine, as well as an AK-47, a Glock with no serial number, two loaded Smith & Wesson handguns, and over 4,200 rounds of ammunition were seized. A marijuana grow operation with hundreds of marijuana plants was also dismantled.

Lua pleaded guilty to one count of a second superseding indictment charging her with money laundering conspiracy in April 2024. She was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton to 12 months and one day in prison followed by one year of supervised release.

This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea Porter and Katherine Ferguson of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office; and Concord, Hudson, Peabody, Reading, Watertown and Waltham Police Departments. Assistance was also provided by the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine State Police.