United States v. Vidal

McCONNELL, Circuit Judge.

Defendant-Appellant Elvira Vidal was charged with possession with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. Though she denied having the requisite intent, she pled guilty to the charge “because [the police] found the drugs.” We are now called on to determine whether Ms. Vidal’s guilty plea was knowing and intelligent in light of these facts.

I. Background

On September 28, 2005, Ms. Vidal was traveling east on 1-40 toward Albuquerque in a car driven by Mr. Juan Lopez-Gamez. A New Mexico State Police officer pulled over the vehicle because Ms. Vidal…