Guam Meth Dealer Sentenced to 49 Months for Drug Trafficking

Hagatña, Guam – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands announced that defendant Lovelia C. Mendoza, age 39, from Guam was sentenced in the United States District Court of Guam to 49 months imprisonment to run concurrently with prior federal offense for Conspiracy to Distribute Fifty (50) Grams or More of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride, a Schedule II Substance in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 846 and 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A)(viii).  The Court also ordered 5 years of supervised release following imprisonment, and a mandatory $100.00 special assessment fee.  In addition, defendants convicted of a federal drug offense may no longer qualify for certain federal benefits.

On May 10, 2018, law enforcement conducted a controlled delivery of a package that contained a substance that field tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.  The package was picked up by Joseph R. Roman II at the U.S. Post Office in Barrigada. Upon exiting the postal facility with the package, Roman entered a vehicle driven by Daniel Topasna Pangelinan. Law enforcement conducted surveillance and monitored the movements of the package utilizing a GPS device that was placed in the box.  While under surveillance, Roman was seen disposing the package behind a shelter in Dededo where both Roman and Pangelinan were subsequently detained. Pangelinan waived his rights and admitted to assisting Roman in picking up the package at Lovelia Mendoza's request.

Few days prior, Pangelinan was at Mendoza's residence and was given a postal slip and told Pangelinan and Roman that the package was ready for pickup. On May 9, 2018, Pangelinan drove Roman to the U.S. Post Office in Barrigada to pick up the package but was unsuccessful and got it the next day. When the package was retrieved, Mendoza gave instructions to Roman and Pangelinan to deliver the package to Mark Mayo. The plan was for Roman to discard the package on the roadway for Mayo to pick-up. Soon after the package was discarded, investigators immediately took possession. Pangelinan received a phone call from Mayo and said, the "feds" got the package. Laboratory analysis of the substance recovered from the package revealed that it was 418.7 net grams of d-methamphetamine hydrochloride with a purity level of 98%. This quantity was indicative of an intent to distribute.

Pangelinan, Roman, and Mayo were also charged in connection with this package. Daniel Pangelinan pled guilty to Attempted Possession of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride with Intent to Distribute and was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison on June 22, 2021. Joseph R. Roman II pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine Hydrochloride and was sentenced to time served on August 26, 2021. Mark Mayo was found guilty of Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine Hydrochloride and Attempted Possession of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride with Intent to Distribute following a jury trial. Mayo was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on June 22, 2021.

“Our office is dedicated to supporting our law enforcement partners in targeting drug traffickers in our districts,” stated U.S. Attorney Anderson.  “The interdiction of mail parcels continues to reveal large quantities of methamphetamine arriving on island.  Anyone with information about this type of crime should contact federal authorities at the earliest opportunity.”

"The FBI works alongside with our law enforcement partners to stop the importation and sale of illegal drugs," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Steven Merrill.  "Today's sentencing shows our commitment and our tireless efforts to combat and deter the distribution of illegal, and potentially deadly, narcotics.  The FBI will continue to do everything we can to put those who bring illegal drugs into our communities out of business."

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force’s (OCDETF). The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Laura C. Sambataro, United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Guam.