2 November – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – R. Alexander Acosta, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, announced today that a jury in Fort Pierce, Florida, convicted defendant, Melissa Marie Hoffpauir, 25, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, of attempted manufacture of five grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine.
Based on those convictions, defendant Hoffpauir faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five (5) years and a maximum of forty (40) years on the charges of attempted manufacture of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. She faces a maximum prison sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment on the charge of possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. She is also faces fines up to $4,250,000 million.
According to the evidence presented at trial, on July 5, 2005, a search warrant was executed at Hoffpauir’s residence in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Law enforcement officers from the Port St. Lucie Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration observed what appeared to be a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory. The agents obtained an expanded warrant that permitted them to search a FEMA trailer parked next to Hoffpauir’s residence. During the search that followed, the DEA discovered in the house and in the FEMA trailer all of the tools normally found in a methamphetamine laboratory, as well as the various precursor chemicals, including pseudoephedrine, a cold remedy that is a key component in the manufacture of methamphetamine. The agents also seized nearly eight grams of pure methamphetamine, often called “ICE,” due to its crystalline appearance. Also found in Hoffpauir’s home during the search were three handguns, one of which was loaded and cocked and located next to Hoffpauir’s purse. The purse itself contained a quantity of methamphetamine.
United States Attorney Acosta commended Drug Enforcement Administration for their diligence in the investigation of this case. He also commended the critical assistance provided by the members of the Port St. Lucie Police Department in the initial investigation of this case. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim McAdams, Senior Litigation Counsel for the U. S. Attorney’s Office in Fort Pierce.
A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls . Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on .
