Two people each charged with drug trafficking, two other felonies and a misdemeanor have waived jury trials and their pleas have been continued.
Daniel Alejandro Cruz, 24 and Hanna Yohan Elizabeth Perry, 19, were formally charged in Lincoln County District Court on March 13, 2023 with trafficking in illegal drugs, possessing a firearm during commission of a felony and acquiring proceeds from drug activity, all felonies.
They were also charged with the misdemeanor of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Appearing recently before District Judge John Canavan, Perry withdrew her previous pleas and entered guilty pleas to all four counts. She and the state both waived a presentence investigation.
The court found her guilty as charged on all four counts and deferred sentencing for seven years on all counts. The judge fined handed her a $100 judicial assessment, $100 VCA, and court costs on each count with the counts to run concurrently with each other and pay 991 fees.
As part of the plea agreement, Perry agrees to testify against the codefendant Cruz. The judge placed her on probation with the Department of Corrections and to report to the probation office and the Court Clerk’s Office.
Assistant District Attorney Rachel Thompson handled the case for the state and Irven Box was Perry’s attorney.
Judge Canavan has continued Cruz’s case until 9 a.m. Aug. 6.
State Trooper Matthew Ludwig, in a probable cause affidavit, states that he conducted a traffic stop on the Turner Turnpike in Lincoln County on a vehicle driven by Cruz.
He stated that on approach of the vehicle, he observed rear seats and the trunk of the Toyota Highlander to have numerous duffle bags and dryer sheets scattered throughout the car and on the bags.
The trooper reported he could smell the odor of raw marijuana coming from the car.
He said Cruz, while engaged in conversation, gave indicators of criminal activity. He admitted to the trooper he had smoked marijuana earlier in the day.
Ludwig noted when he talked with Perry, she gave conflicting stories from Cruz. She acknowledged she had a little bit of marijuana in the front passenger door compartment.
The trooper said as he conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle, he located seven black duffle bags with marijuana in vacuum sealed bags, he located a backpack with a black Glock 45 mm handgun and 16 rubber tied bundles of cash.
Ludwig said he found a scale with green residue in the center console. There was one open container of cold Modelo beer.
When he weighed the marijuana in the original packaging, Ludwig said it weighed approximately 228 pounds and the cash he discovered totaled $16,000.
He arrested both Cruz and Perry and they were transported to the Lincoln County Jail where they were booked and processed.