KINGMAN – A Wichita, Kansas woman who assisted in transporting 40 pounds of methamphetamine through Mohave County has entered a plea agreement that spares her any prison time, provided she complies with terms of probation.
Daisy Morales, 24, pleaded guilty to a charge reduced to attempted transportation of dangerous drugs for sale during a January 5 hearing before Mohave County Superior Court judge Megan McCoy.
Morales and a co-defendant were arrested when a traffic stop initiated on Interstate 40 was completed within the Kingman city limits on November 6, 2025. A K9 alert on the vehicle led to a search and the seizure of 40, 1-lb. packages of methamphetamine from two boxes.
Mario Espinosa-Altamirano, 24, Fresno, California, was driving the vehicle and he told investigators that Morales was unaware, and that he was responsible for the drug transport mission.
Defense attorney Jonathan Robinson told the Court that Espinosa-Altamirano indeed was the most culpable of the pair and that his client has been shocked by her plight. “This was a brutal wake up call for her,” Robinson said.
Deputy county attorney Phillip Delgado argued in favor of prison due to the large quantity of drugs involved. He maintained that Morales’ involvement was motivated by pecuniary gain and noted her three-year-old son was present during the drug bust.
Judge McCoy said Morales knowingly involved herself and her son as “cover” for the Espinosa-Altamirano drug run. McCoy said the illegal deception did not necessarily call for a prison term.
“I don’t think you’re a drug kingpin,” the judge said.
McCoy placed Morales on probation for five years. She ordered a 180-day jail sentence, crediting the defendant for 36 days already spent in custody.
Morales was also ordered to perform 120 hour of community service upon her release from prison.
Espinosa-Altamirano’s case is still pending.
