Eva Dolores Romero, Conspiring to Smuggle Heroin and Methamphetamine, California 2021

Fresno, California – A local mother is behind bars after a brazen attempt to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine into the Fresno County Jail. Eva Dolores Romero, 55, of Fresno, was sentenced to four years and two months in prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, between December 1, 2020, and January 26, 2021, Romero’s son was an inmate at the Fresno County Jail. Romero conspired with her son and others outside of jail to smuggle methamphetamine and heroin into the jail for distribution among inmates.

The plot was uncovered when law enforcement agents reviewed recorded jail calls and learned about the attempted smuggling set to occur on January 26. On that date, law enforcement intercepted an individual attempting to deliver athletic shoes to the jail for an inmate. The shoes were searched, and hidden compartments were found inside the shoes containing the illicit narcotics.

This case was the product of an investigation by Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Fresno Police Department, and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin J. Gilio prosecuted the case.

Romero’s actions were part of a larger conspiracy to bring drugs into the jail. Her son, who was an inmate at the time, was a key player in the plot. The two worked together to smuggle the drugs into the jail, using various methods to get them past security.

The investigation into Romero’s activities was a collaborative effort between multiple law enforcement agencies. The team worked tirelessly to gather evidence and build a case against Romero. Their hard work paid off when Romero was sentenced to prison for her role in the conspiracy.

In the end, Romero’s attempt to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine into the Fresno County Jail was foiled. Her sentence serves as a reminder that law enforcement is committed to keeping our communities safe and will take action against those who seek to bring drugs into our jails.

Mandatory facts:

Defendant: Eva Dolores Romero
Criminal charges: Conspiring to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and methamphetamine
City and state: Fresno, California
Date: N/A
Sentence: Four years and two months in prison
Dollar amounts: N/A

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