TOM GREEN COUNTY, Texas — A San Angelo woman was found guilty of felony drug possession and sentenced by a Tom Green County jury to spend eight years in prison.
A press release from the 119th District Attorney's Office said Mary Kaylene Velez was indicted on a charge of possession of a controlled substance Penalty Group 1 (methamphetamine) 4-200 grams, a second-degree felony, which was enhanced to a first-degree felony because of a prior felony conviction. Velez faced five-99 years or life in prison for the charge.
The offense happened the evening of April 21, 2020, according to the release. A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper saw a vehicle leave the Stripes convenience store on Bell Street without its headlights on. The trooper stopped the vehicle, which Velez was driving, and got her consent to search the vehicle.
Velez admitted to having marijuana in her purse, according to the release. The trooper searched the vehicle and found a plastic bag near the driver's side seatbelt that had 3.97 grams of methamphetamine in it. Another bag of 0.17 grams of methamphetamine was found in a plastic bag in Velez's purse. The trooper also found a grocery bag in the passenger door's pocket with an additional 3.42 grams of methamphetamine. Forensic testing at the DPS Abilene Crime lab was performed to confirm the drug was meth.
Velez's passenger, Jose Ramirez, was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of methamphetamine in connection to this case.
A Tom Green County jury found Velez guilty of the indicted charge Nov. 16, 2021. Velez elected for Judge Carmen Dusek (51st District Court of Tom Green County) to assess her punishment.
Velez had two prior convictions for burglary of a habitation. Dusek sentenced Velez to eight years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
In the release, DA John Best said, "Methamphetamine is an extremely dangerous drug that ruins countless lives. We are grateful to the jury for their service and careful consideration of the evidence in this case. Their guilty verdict sends a message that our community will not tolerate those who take part in illegal drug activity. Likewise, the sentence imposed by Judge Dusek sends a message that the consequences of possessing methamphetamine will be severe."
