Jackelyne Marroquin of Carrollton, Georgia, has pleaded guilty to charges of possessing with intent to distribute more than 760 pounds of methamphetamine and harboring illegal aliens in connection with a drug trafficking operation in metro Atlanta.
According to U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg, “Marroquin harbored illegal aliens to operate a metro-Atlanta drug distribution ring. As a result of unwavering law enforcement dedication, this insidious trafficking network has been dismantled, and well over a million dollars’ worth of lethal drugs have been removed from our streets. The Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners will continue to protect the public by ensuring North Georgia is never a haven for criminal cartels.”
Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division, stated: “Today’s guilty plea reinforces that DEA will not tolerate drug traffickers. Those who fuel the drug trade while putting communities and vulnerable individuals at risk will face serious consequences.”
Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal John B. Stevens said: “Jackelyne Marroquin trafficked illicit drugs and utilized illegal aliens in the furtherance of that crime. The U.S. Marshals, along with our partners in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration, will never stop our pursuit of criminals. The mission of enhancing public safety is vital, and we are honored that it is our responsibility. No matter how long a criminal runs, we will find them, and they will pay.”
Court records show that in March 2024 Marroquin rented a residence in Stone Mountain which was used by a drug trafficking organization for storing and distributing methamphetamine imported from Mexico inside bags of charcoal. Law enforcement found buckets containing methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), an additive often used by traffickers to dilute methamphetamine for greater profit.
On April 2, 2024, agents executed a search warrant at the Stone Mountain home where they seized approximately 760 pounds of nearly pure methamphetamine valued between $1.45 million and $1.9 million on the street. Two undocumented immigrants from Mexico—Jonathan Guzman Esquivel and Alfonso Calderon-Rodriguez—were living at the property and involved in drug activities there; both had previously pleaded guilty to related charges and were each sentenced in late 2024 to five years and ten months in federal prison followed by three years supervised release.
The investigation revealed Marroquin provided her rented home as well as financial support for these individuals’ expenses.
Sentencing for Marroquin is set for April 23, 2026 before U.S District Judge Steven D. Grimberg.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S Marshals Service with assistance from DeKalb County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Unit (HIDTA) and Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S Attorney Matthew LaGrone prosecuted the case with support from former Assistant U.S Attorney Amy M Palumbo.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a national initiative led by the Department of Justice targeting cartels, transnational criminal organizations, human smuggling operations—and is also part of Homeland Security Task Force efforts established under Executive Order 14159 Protecting the American People Against Invasion.
The U.S Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia serves as principal federal law enforcement agency for north Georgia including Atlanta suburbs; it handles both criminal prosecutions like this one involving major narcotics cases as well as civil matters across its jurisdiction serving millions throughout north Georgia (official website). The office collaborates closely with other agencies nationwide on threats such as terrorism or organized crime (official website). Its primary location is Atlanta but it manages cases extending nationally or internationally (official website). United States Attorney Theodore S Hertzberg leads this office (official website).
For information about dangers associated with drugs parents can visit www.justthinktwice.gov.
