NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – A federal grand jury in New Orleans, Louisiana returned a four-count indictment on November 19, 2021 charging a woman for violations of the Federal Gun Control Act and the Federal Controlled Substances Act.
According to court documents, MAGALI CASTILLO-PADRON, age 30, is charged in Count 1 with possession with intent to distribute a quantity of a mixture of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A). In Count 2, CASTILLO-PADRON is charged with possession of a firearm by an illegal alien, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(5)(A) and 924(a)(2). In Count 3, CASTILLO-PADRON is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A). In Count 4, CASTILLO-PADRON is charged with reentry of a removed alien, in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a).
If convicted of Count 1, CASTILLO-PADRON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, at least 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. If convicted of Count 2, CASTILLO-PADRON faces a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. If convicted of Count 3, CASTILLO-PADRON faces a mandatory minimum consecutive 5 years imprisonment, up to life imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 5 years of supervised release, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100. If convicted of Count 4, CASTILLO-PADRON faces up to 2 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, up to 1 year supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
U.S. Attorney Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Kenner Police Department and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Usher.
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