YAKIMA, WA – A 45-year-old woman has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine while under supervised release for a prior drug conviction.
Gabriela Abundiz was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Stanley A. Bastian to 180 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to drug distribution charges. The announcement was made Thursday by Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker.
According to court records, Abundiz had previously been convicted in 2017 for drug trafficking in Montana and sentenced to 70 months in prison. While on supervised release for that conviction, Abundiz was found to be selling drugs in the Eastern District of Washington.
On April 2, 2024, the Omak Police Department observed Abundiz entering an apartment and later obtained a warrant for her arrest. Inside the apartment, officers located two backpacks containing methamphetamine, 2,649 fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, marijuana, a digital scale, and a pipe used for drug consumption. Abundiz was also found with two cellphones, one of which contained images of large sums of cash, fentanyl pills, and drug-related text messages.
“Ms. Abundiz returned to drug trafficking even while under federal supervision for a prior conviction,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Barker. “Her continued criminal conduct, especially involving fentanyl, posed a serious threat to the safety and health of Eastern Washington communities.”
David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division, added, “Despite serving a lengthy prison term, Ms. Abundiz would not stop selling poison to her community and ultimately paid a heavy price for continuing her wicked ways.”
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Omak Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy.