A California woman has been sentenced to 235 months in federal prison for her involvement in a meth and money laundering conspiracy that spanned multiple states.
Maribel Torres, 37, of Escondido, California, was sentenced on November 1, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.
Torres was convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments. She was also ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victim Fund.
The investigation, which was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, and the South Dakota Highway Patrol, revealed that Torres reached an agreement or came to an understanding to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of a substance containing methamphetamine in the District of South Dakota.
Beginning on an unknown date and continuing until on or about July 2020, Torres facilitated and directed the transportation and distribution of methamphetamine in South Dakota and elsewhere. She also directed co-conspirators to transport and distribute the substance on her behalf.
Additionally, Torres was involved in a money laundering scheme, wiring funds derived from the sale of methamphetamine through various financial institutions. She also helped coordinate with co-conspirators the movement of cash drug proceeds across state lines.
Torres was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Nash.
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant: Maribel Torres, 37, of Escondido, California
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments
City and State: Escondido, California
Date: November 1, 2021
Sentence: 235 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $100 to the Federal Crime Victim Fund
Dollar Amounts: $100
Related Federal Cases
- Julia Precious Ballansaw, Meth Money Laundering, South Dakota 2024 · Alabama
- Daniel Navarrette, Meth & Money Conspiracy, South Dakota 2023 · Alabama
- Laurens Maas, Meth Conspiracy, South Dakota 2023 · South Dakota
- Clarence Williams, Fentanyl Meth Conspiracy, South Dakota 2025 · South Dakota
- Antoine Thomas, Meth & Gun Conspiracy, South Dakota 2024 · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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