HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — A man was sentenced to four years in federal prison for selling meth out of his car.
Mariano Quinata appeared in the District Court of Guam on Wednesday morning to be sentenced for distribution of methamphetamine hydrochloride.
Quinata, who pleaded guilty to the charge stemming from a June 26, 2019, incident, faced a maximum of 20 years in prison.
The United States Attorney’s office, however, recommended Quinata serve a sentence of 51 months, or four years and three months, to deter not only Quinata but the community from committing more crimes, and to give Quinata the opportunity to participate in substance abuse and mental health treatment.
Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood eventually handed down the 51-month sentence recommended by federal prosecutors. Tydingco-Gatewood also recommended Quinata be incarcerated in a Washington state facility where he would have access to mental health services and vocational or trade programs, according to the minutes of the hearing.
Incident
According to Quinata’s plea deal, on June 26, 2019, he “knowingly distributed methamphetamine hydrochloride to another person … in exchange for $1,500,” in Hågat.
“Quinata conducted this sale inside a motor vehicle driven by Quinata’s wife, which was also occupied by their two children and (the buyer). Quinata gave (the buyer) a small red pouch with three small (resealable) baggies containing a crystalline substance,” the plea agreement stated.
The drugs were inspected by a forensic chemist with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, who determined the amount was 3.7 grams of methamphetamine with 97% purity.
Record
According to Post files, Quinata was sentenced in 2023 in the Superior Court of Guam to five years in prison for his involvement in a 2018 drive-by shooting in Hågat.
Quinata and co-defendant Jared John Santos started an argument with the victim, who was pumping gas. After the victim left the gas station, the pair followed the victim. Quinata was driving and Santos shot at the victim’s vehicle, piercing the driver’s door and wounding the victim.
Quinata was convicted of aggravated assault by complicity as a second-degree felony and aggravated assault as a third-degree felony. He was acquitted of attempted murder by complicity.
The District Court of Guam is seen Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Hagåtña.
