Sioux Falls Woman Sentenced for Meth and Launder Trafficking Conspiracy

Acting United States Attorney Dennis Holmes announced that a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, woman convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) and Conspiracy to Launder Monetary Instruments was sentenced on June 3, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier.

Maria Delsolorro Garibay, age 37, was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison for each count to be served concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release on each count to run concurrently, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $200.

Garibay was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 1, 2020. She pled guilty on March 8, 2021.

The conviction regarding methamphetamine distribution stemmed from incidents beginning on an unknown date and continuing until approximately August 2020, when Garibay, along with at least one other person reached an agreement or came to an understanding to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture of a substance containing methamphetamine in the District of South Dakota. Methamphetamine is a Schedule II controlled substance.

The conviction regarding money laundering stemmed from incidents beginning on an unknown date and continuing until approximately August 2020, when Garibay knowingly and intentionally combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together, and with others, to knowingly conduct and attempt to conduct money transfers at financial institutions and transporting case drug proceeds, which involved the proceeds of a conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, the Sioux Falls Area Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Nash prosecuted the case.

Garibay was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.