KINGMAN — The Mohave County Attorney’s Office continues grinding through plea agreements to resolve cases against defendants charged in the “Operation Mohave Typewriter” case. 15 people were arrested in an early August suspect roundup following a 9-month multiple agency investigation focused on illegal drug and firearm trafficking in multiple county communities.
Authorities announced the probe produced seizure of 32 pounds of methamphetamine, an ounce of fentanyl powder, 28 weapons and 26 hand grenades.
Chloride resident Rosemary Gomez, 39, is the latest case defendant to be sent to the Arizona Department of Corrections. Judge Billy Sipe on December 5 sent Gomez to prison for 20 years, a punishment that was stipulated in a plea agreement.
Gomez is convicted of sale of dangerous drugs for a March transaction with an undercover agent involving about 1.5 ounces of methamphetamine. Gomez is also convicted of misconduct involving weapons as a prohibited possessor who sold a firearm to another undercover officer in Kingman in September.
Defense attorney Ross Carponelli said drug addiction, depression and trauma made Gomez vulnerable to exploitation by others who influenced her criminal conduct, though he also said she accepts responsibility.
Gomez said extensive incarceration provides a chance to better herself for post-prison living.
“I get the opportunity to change my life,” Gomez said. “I’m a good person. I’m not a violent person. I’m going to miss my grandma and possibly my twin sister while I’m gone.”
Case defendant David Baker, 52, Golden Valley, appeared for sentencing before Judge Derek Carlisle on November 18. A plea deal in his case resulted in conviction for trafficking stolen property.
Baker and co-defendant Richard Hanson, 53, Golden Valley, both admitted selling an undercover agent a “Tommy” submachine gun for $16,000 in April. The Court imposed a 7-year prison term for Baker.
Hanson also entered a mandatory prison plea deal, but he died in custody at the Adult Detention Facility on November 14, more than two weeks before his scheduled December 2 sentencing hearing.
