Woman sentenced to more than 10 years in drug case

CLOVIS — Past offenses enhanced two drug convictions Wednesday for a Clovis woman to a sentence of more than 10 years in the Department of Corrections, according to a news release from the 9th Judicial District Attorney.

Kaitlyn Martinez-Arington, 26, was found guilty of possession of methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree felony, and petty misdemeanor, respectively. Following a one-day jury trial Judge Matthew Chandler ruled she was an habitual offender from past felony convictions, enhancing her sentence to a total of 10 1/2 years with 2/12 years suspended for supervised probation, said the release.

The charges stemmed from a warrant arrest in February, when Clovis police officers found her walking on Llano Estacado Boulevard and she admitted to being in possession of a hypodermic needle and a small baggie of meth, according to court records.

Defense attorney Sandra Gallagher told The News she was disappointed in the sentencing.

“My client is only 26 years old, and it is disturbing to me that a drug addict of her age will have to serve an 8 year sentence because of an addiction that this state provides virtually no resources to treat,” she wrote in a message. “What a waste of human potential.”

Martinez-Arington has felony cases still pending in Clovis and Portales, including one for a short-lived jail escape from the Curry County Adult Detention Center in August.