California woman sentenced after being found with Bibles hiding heroin
A California woman, Lucresia Stone-Rojas, has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being arrested on a weapons charge and found with heroin-filled Bibles addressed to inmates in state prisons. Stone-Rojas, 46, was initially apprehended on November 12, 2023, when a license plate reader detected a stolen Porsche in El Cajon. Upon conducting a traffic stop, authorities discovered a loaded 9mm Walther handgun and ammunition in her possession. Due to her prior felony convictions, Stone-Rojas faced federal charges for unlawful possession of a firearm, although she was not charged for the stolen vehicle.
Subsequently, on December 27, 2023, Stone-Rojas was arrested again when federal investigators uncovered packages and envelopes addressed to inmates in a California state prison. Upon conducting a search, officials found two Bibles containing 23 grams of heroin hidden within the spines. The drugs were intended for delivery to two California state prisons.
Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Haden expressed concern over the smuggling of drugs into prisons, emphasizing the risks it poses to both inmates and correctional staff. He stated, “Smuggling drugs into our prisons endangers both the inmates and the correctional staff. It will not be tolerated. 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.”
The incident sheds light on the ongoing issue of drug trafficking and its impact on the criminal justice system. By exploiting religious items such as Bibles to conceal illegal substances, individuals like Stone-Rojas undermine efforts towards rehabilitation and create additional challenges for law enforcement.
As the case unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding crime, addiction, and the need for effective measures to combat drug-related offenses. The integration of faith-based resources into criminal activities highlights the importance of vigilance and thorough investigations to prevent such incidents from recurring.
