A Houston woman has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for her involvement in drug trafficking activities between Houston and Rockport. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the sentencing of 45-year-old Cheri Ann Palmer, who pleaded guilty on September 26, 2024.
U.S. District Judge David Morales ordered Palmer to serve 240 months for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and an additional 60 months for possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. These sentences will run consecutively, followed by three years of supervised release.
“The Southern District of Texas does not tolerate drug traffickers,” said Ganjei. “Drugs, especially methamphetamine and fentanyl, destroy lives and damage communities. Our Corpus Christi office did great work taking this dealer off the streets.”
The case began on October 2, 2023, when law enforcement responded to a disturbance at a local motel where they found Palmer with a backpack containing drugs and a firearm. A search revealed further quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl smuggled from Mexico.
Further investigation in Houston uncovered Palmer loading backpacks into a vehicle, leading to the discovery of large amounts of various drugs including methamphetamine, fentanyl analogue, heroin mixed with fentanyl, marijuana, cocaine, and pills marked as Oxycodone but containing fentanyl.
Palmer has been involved in drug dealing in the Houston area for several years according to the investigation. She remains in custody awaiting transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility.
The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation with support from other agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; Rockport Police Department; and Harris County Sheriff Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Yasmine K. Tucker and Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.