Lake Charles Woman Squeals, Pleads Guilty In Meth Trafficking Case

A Lake Charles woman pleaded guilty Tuesday at a plea hearing for her participation in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that spanned from Texas to Louisiana.

Sandra Lynette Smith, 48, entered a conditional guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances.

According to U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley, Smith, and an accomplice, Chumpai Mireles, were identified as methamphetamine traffickers. Smith told a cooperating witness that Mireles would head to Houston to buy drugs in July of 2014.  Agents arrested Mireles after they followed him from his meeting with Houston drug dealer, Michael Giese, back into Louisiana.Smith also told investigators that Giese and Mireles would meet on a weekly basis to make drug purchases.

Smith faces up to 20 years in prison, three years supervised release and a $1 million fine. Her sentencing date has been set for Oct. 19. The trial for Mireles and Giese is scheduled for June 15.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-Drug Task Force conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Abendroth is prosecuting the case.