April 3, 2024
(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis’s office secured a 35 year prison sentence for long-time drug dealer Monica Gonzales, 37, of McKinney, Texas.
On May 30, 2023, Detective Joe Arp of the McKinney Police Department conducted a covert narcotics investigation at the Super 8 Motel in McKinney, Texas where he witnessed a vehicle approach a known suspect and engage in a hand-to-hand drug transaction. Detective Arp followed the vehicle as it left the parking lot and saw a traffic violation a few blocks later. Detective Arp radioed for another officer to conduct a traffic stop.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Cary Wittwer immediately noticed the strong odor of marijuana. Gonzales was a passenger in the car. While still inside the car, Gonzales handed a small baggie of marijuana to Officer Jonathan Losawyer. Officer Wittwer then pulled Gonzales out of the vehicle and asked if she had any other drugs on her person. She reached up the leg of her shorts and pulled out two bags of methamphetamine.
The total weight of the methamphetamine was 34.9 grams. Plano Police Department Narcotics Detective David Farrington testified as an expert to explain why the amount of methamphetamine Gonzales had was not for personal use. A personal use amount of methamphetamine is 0.2 grams, so Gonzales had over 170 doses with her at the time.
After Gonzales pleaded guilty, a jury assessed her punishment. The jury heard evidence that Gonzales had a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2006, including two prior prison trips for drug dealing and possession in 2016 and 2020, respectively. Officer Wittwer testified about an encounter he had with Gonzales just two weeks before this arrest. Gonzales was in a car with her 15-year-old son as well as two other individuals. Officer Wittwer conducted a traffic stop and immediately noticed the odor of marijuana. Officer Wittwer conducted a probable cause search of Gonzales’ son, who had 52 grams of methamphetamine in multiple baggies hidden in various parts of his pants and boots.
After hearing Gonzales’ criminal history, and considering the facts of this offense, the jury sentenced Gonzales to 35 years in prison. “We’ve seen this before: a repeat offender who hasn’t changed despite multiple prison sentences. Now, it seems she’s passing these harmful habits to her son, or at the very least, not protecting him from this destructive path. Rest assured, my office will not back down. We’re committed to clear our streets of harmful influences,” remarked Willis after sentencing.
Assistant Criminal District Attorney Abbie Adkins and Luke Calhoun prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Michael Coleman.
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