Destiny Iniguez, age 25, was ordered to serve 2-5 years in prison after being arrested with over four pounds of methamphetamine near Winnemucca last year.
Iniguez pleaded no contest to the controlled substance trafficking level one charge in March 2021 after being arrested on April 18, 2020 in Humboldt County for possessing 4.5 pounds of methamphetamine.
Iniguez’ attorney Humboldt County Public Defender Matthew Stermitz told the court that she lives in Stockton and was driving someone else’s vehicle on the interstate and that asked the court to impose the minimum one-year prison sentence.
“It’s not going to make a lick of difference to the problem we have in our community with drugs because they were intended for Salt Lake City,” said Stermitz. “Mr. Gordon reached out to the feds, no one has any interest in this case but now we’re going to be burdened with housing this woman in our correctional facilities for no less than one year.”
The car was reported to be registered to the passenger of the vehicle, who was released after being arrested due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions and has not been located since the incident despite an active warrant.
Deputy District Attorney Anthony Gordon said that Iniguez possessed over $127 in counterfeit currency and a small amount of methamphetamine stored with two personal use methamphetamine pipes on her person in addition to the large amount located in the vehicle, asking the court to impose a 28-60 month sentence.
“The amount of methamphetamine that was seized in this case is 4.5 pounds,” said Gordon. “The largest amount I’ve ever seen in my time here.”
The potential penalties for the category B felony in Nevada include 1-6 years in prison, a $50,000 maximum fine and no eligibility for probation.
Iniguez originally pleaded not guilty to a trafficking level three offense, a category A felony in Nevada carrying a potential 10 years to life in prison with possible probation after 10 years, the amended level one charge was filed in April prior to the no contest plea.
Sixth Judicial District Court Judge Michael Montero ordered Iniguez to complete a 2-5 year prison sentence with 157 days credit for time served.
Iniguez was ordered to pay a $15,000 fine, $500 public defender fee, $153 DNA collection and analysis fee, $60 forensic fee and $25 administrative assessment fee.
Iniguez told the court that she had been kicked out of her home after her mom died of cancer two years ago and her drug usage increased.
“I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, more than anything I need help with my addiction, I don’t believe prison is the solution,” said Iniguez. “I come from a wonderful family and realize now that my family doesn’t deserve this.”
