Atlanta Women Plead Guilty To Possession Of Marijuana With Intent To Distribute

ST. THOMAS — Noelle Bishopel, 27, and Sierra Wimberly, 25, each pleaded guilty today in District Court on St. Thomas to one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced.

According to the plea agreement, on April 6, 2016, U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection officers detected narcotics in checked bags belonging to Wimberly and Bishopel after their arrival at the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas on a Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta, Ga.

Both women were taken to secondary inspection, and their checked bags were further examined. CBP officers seized approximately 4.9 kilograms of marijuana from Wimberly’s bag, and 9.45 kilograms of marijuana from Bishopel’s bag.

Wimberly and Bishopel each face a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for December 8, 2016.

This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard Potter.