Arizona Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Importation and Distribution of Methamphetamine from Mexico to Iowa

 Paniagua-Trejo was responsible for importing pounds of meth into Northwest Iowa, after previous convictions for drug-related offenses.

A woman who imported approximately 20 pounds of methamphetamine, and a half pound of cocaine, over a two-year period was sentenced on May 11, 2021, to almost 9 years in federal prison.

Brisa Paniagua-Trejo, 40, from Casa Grande, Arizona, pled guilty on December 8, 2020, to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. 

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings showed that Paniagua-Trejo coordinated shipments of several pounds of methamphetamine, and cocaine, from 2018 through early 2020 to the Northern District of Iowa and elsewhere.  On February 5, 2020, after conducting active surveillance for suspected drug activity, a Woodbury County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle Paniagua-Trejo was operating.  Upon conducting a search within the vehicle, law enforcement discovered approximately 75 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 30 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, several phones, and four rounds of .40 caliber ammunition.  Paniagua-Trejo was previously convicted of possession with intent to manufacture/deliver methamphetamine, in the Iowa District Court for Woodbury County, and drug possession in the Minnesota District Court for Faribault County.

Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand.  Paniagua-Trejo was sentenced to 107 months’ imprisonment and must serve a three-year term of supervised release following imprisonment.  There is no parole in the federal system. Paniagua-Trejo remains in custody of the United States Marshal until she is transported to a federal prison. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick T. Greenwood and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office.