Illegal Alien Sentenced to more than Three Years in Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl
Anniston, Alabama – A St. Clair County woman has been sentenced on multiple drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
U.S. District Court Judge Corey L. Maze sentenced Claudia Montano Gonzalez, 43, a native and citizen of Mexico, to 39 months in prison. In October 2024, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to the plea agreement, in October 2023, Gonzalez sold fentanyl at the Buc-ees travel center in Leeds, Alabama. Gonzalez’s husband and co-defendant, David Angel Alejandres, facilitated the transaction from Mexico, but Gonzalez delivered the fentanyl. After obtaining a search warrant for Gonzalez’s residence in Pell City, agents recovered approximately one kilogram of fentanyl.
In June 2024, David Alejandres was charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Alejandres remains at large.
The Drug Enforcement Agency is investigating the case with the assistance of the Pell City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany T. Byrd is prosecuting the case.
An indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
