HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — A woman will spend a little more than 11 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and having a firearm after being convicted of a felony.
On Friday in the District Court of Guam, Shaylene Doris Valentine was sentenced to serve 135 months, or 11 years and three months, in federal prison.
Valentine was indicted April 12, 2023, after she was pulled over by the Guam Police Department in March 2023 and authorities searched her residence the same month.
According to Valentine’s plea agreement, Valentine was pulled over for a traffic violation when police noticed she “appeared to be nervous and kept looking down at her feet area.”
After Valentine consented to a search of the vehicle, police found a glass jar and a cooler, both of which contained suspected methamphetamine. Officers also found a handgun and ammunition beneath Valentine’s driver’s seat, documents state.
Valentine then admitted she obtained methamphetamine to sell.
“Valentine admitted that she obtained ’16 zips’ (ounces) of methamphetamine from another person. … Valentine admitted that she intended to sell ten of the ‘zips’ (ounces) of methamphetamine and intended to keep the remaining six (ounces) of methamphetamine for herself,” the plea agreement states, revealing 308 grams of meth were in the cooler.
A search of Valentine’s cellphone also found that she was engaged in the sale of methamphetamine and handled and discharged firearms between January and April 2023.
Following the traffic stop, Homeland Security Investigation special agents and task force officers conducted a search of Valentine’s bedroom at a residence on Swamp Road in Dededo. There, a firearm was found leaning against the door and under a couch in Valentine’s bedroom, court documents state.
Valentine was convicted in the Superior Court of Guam of guilt established by complicity to commit robbery as a third-degree felony in 2015 and terrorizing as a third-degree felony in 2022.
Cooperation
Valentine’s attorney Louie Yanza argued his client should serve only about five years in prison for the charges.
Yanza in his sentencing memorandum stated Valentine has provided “substantial assistance” to authorities since she was indicted, which involved participating in debriefings and providing information on other individuals, including two who are now facing drug-related charges. Valentine had also indicated she was willing to testify if needed.
Additionally, Valentine helped law enforcement in identifying where drug activity was taking place.
“While on presentence release, Shaylene traveled with law enforcement around the island identifying houses where drug activity occurred and confirmed information already known to federal agents. … Shaylene assisted law enforcement in trying to get an illegal firearm off the streets. Shaylene has provided names, addresses, photos and video evidence to the government in an effort to satisfy her plea agreement and make the island a safer place,” Yanza wrote.
Senior Judge Alex Munson sided with the U.S. attorney’s office and recommended Valentine serve the 135-month sentence for possession with intent to distribute 50 or more grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride and for felony possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The District Court of Guam is seen Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Hagåtña.
