RICHLAND, WA – A 44-year-old former corrections officer at the Walla Walla State Penitentiary has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to drug charges. U.S. District Judge Mary Dimke sentenced Leticia Rodriguez for Conspiracy to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Actual (Pure) Methamphetamine, 400 Grams or More of Fentanyl, and 5 Kilograms or More of Cocaine. She will also serve 5 years of federal supervision after she is released from federal custody.
According to information disclosed in court documents and proceedings, Rodriguez was part of a large drug trafficking organization that involved a legitimate landscaping business to cover up the organization’s drug trafficking activities. Investigators developed information that Rodriguez would act as a courier for cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine as well as large amounts of money between eastern Washington, Arizona, and California. She was arrested at the Walla Walla State Penitentiary, where she worked as a corrections officer.
From USAO:
Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, stated, “Ms. Rodriguez violated the trust of the public she had been sworn to serve. Her criminal conduct undermines the respect many of our law enforcement officials earn on a day-today basis. Our community must remain confident that no one is above the law.”
“This case demonstrates how corrosive drug trafficking, and specifically fentanyl, has become in society. This makes DEA and our federal, state and local partners’ obligation to confront its corrupting influence on our communities even more vital,” said Ronald A.Deist, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, DEA Spokane District Office.
This case was investigated by the DEA Drug Task Force, USCBP, Walla Walla Federal Penitentiary, Walla Walla Police Department, Metro Drug Task Force, and the Milton-Freewater Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter.
