Woman found guilty of drug, paraphernalia possession, child endangerment

WILLMAR -- Maria De Jesus Magana, 44, of Willmar, was found guilty Friday of felony charges of first- and fifth-degree drug possession and for storing methamphetamine paraphernalia in the presence of a child, plus a gross misdemeanor of child endangerment, in a court trial before District Judge Donald M. Spilseth.

Magana and Rogelio Martinez-Alvarez, 36, were both charged in October after police officers executed a search warrant at a home in Regency Estates West and found 48 grams of cocaine, more than two pounds of marijuana and a stolen handgun.

Spilseth found Magana not guilty of felony charges of receiving stolen property and possession of a pistol or assault weapon by a user of controlled substance.

Her sentencing is May 8.

Martinez-Alvarez' next court appearance is April 18. He is scheduled for a jury trial on April 25 and 26.

CEE-VI Drug Task Force agents, plus officers from the Willmar Police Department and the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office, served a warrant Oct. 26 at the home along the 400 block of 30th Street Northwest.

Martinez-Alvarez, Magana and a 3-year-old child were located in the home. When they entered the home, officers used Mace on a large dog described as a pit bull. The dog was removed and taken to Hawk Creek Animal Shelter in Willmar.

According to the complaint, the search revealed 2.32 pounds of marijuana in multiple containers, 51 grams of cocaine, multiple items of drug paraphernalia, a stolen 9mm handgun and 94 rounds of ammunition. The gun was identified as a weapon stolen from a Willmar gun store.

Most of the marijuana, drug paraphernalia and ammunition were located near the child's bed, hidden in a dog food bag. Marijuana was also located in the drawers of several pieces of furniture in the bedroom. The cocaine was hidden in caulking tubes in a dresser drawer.

Officers also located more than $3,600 in cash at the home, with most of it hidden between mattresses.