A woman from California was given a seven-year prison sentence on Friday following her arrest on a weapons violation and the discovery of Bibles filled with heroin intended for inmates in state prisons.
Lucresia Stone-Rojas, aged 46, was first taken into custody on November 12, 2023, when a stolen Porsche was identified by a license plate reader in El Cajon. Upon conducting a traffic stop, law enforcement officers uncovered a loaded 9mm Walther handgun and ammunition, reported the Justice Department.
Stone-Rojas, who has previous felony convictions, faced federal charges for illegal possession of a firearm. The charges did not include the stolen vehicle incident.
A person prays over a Bible (iStock)
On Dec. 27, 2023, she was arrested again when federal investigators found packages and envelopes addressed to inmates in a California state prison.
A search revealed two Bibles containing 23 grams of heroin, authorities said.
The drugs were concealed in the spine of the Bibles and destined for delivery to two California state prisons.
A man prepares to inject heroin. (Reuters)
“Smuggling drugs into our prisons endangers both the inmates and the correctional staff. It will not be tolerated,” said acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden. “Hopefully, this case will serve as a warning to anyone who would be willing to abuse the tools of faith and rehabilitation to perpetuate addiction and despair.”
