United States Drug Enforcement Administration

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Todd C. Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge at U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration-Chicago Division, and U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Harris of the Central District of Illinois announced that a federal jury returned a guilty verdict on June 16, 2022, against Monica Renee Wright, 38, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of actual methamphetamine and at least 500 grams of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. Sentencing for Wright has been scheduled for October 10, 2022, at the U.S. Courthouse in Davenport, Iowa.

During three days of trial, beginning on June 13, the government presented evidence establishing that beginning in June 2016, Wright conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in Illinois. The case began when the DEA seized approximately 58 grams of 90+% pure methamphetamine from Wright’s coconspirator’s residence in Illinois. Agents worked up the chain of distribution to identify the source of the methamphetamine as Wright.

After the guilty verdict, Wright was taken into the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service. At sentencing, she faces statutory penalties of 10 years to life imprisonment.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA, Quad City Metropolitan Enforcement Group (QCMEG); Rock Island County Sheriff’s Department; Scott County Sheriff’s Department; and Colorado Springs Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alyssa Raya and Jennifer Mathew represented the government at trial.