Alamogordo woman found guilty for attempted drug smuggling between prisons

An Alamogordo woman was found guilty of trafficking and distribution of a controlled substance on Friday.

Anitra Wilhite, 47, was found guilty by an Otero County jury after a one-day trial for trafficking by possession with intent to distribute; and distribution of a controlled substance. 

On Oct. 9, 2018, Wilhite walked into the lobby of the Alamogordo Police station and turned herself in on three outstanding arrest warrants. Wilhite was transported to the Otero County Detention Center.

According to a news release from the Twelfth Judicial District Attorney's Office on Friday, with assistance from the Department of Corrections Security Threat Intelligence Unit (STIU), it was learned several inmates had a plan to smuggle drugs thorugh the Otero County Detention Center (OCDC) to the women's prison in Grants, N.M.

According to the release, Wilhite would get the drugs into OCDC and then transfer the drugs to another inmate who had been transported from the women’s prison to OCDC for a court hearing.

The other female inmate would then take the drugs back to the women's prison in Grants after her court hearing, the release stated.

OCDC staff confronted Wilhite and she admitted to concealing contraband. A search of her person revealed she had smuggled tobacco, suboxone strips and methamphetamine into the jail.

Wilhite has two prior felony convictions for conspiracy and forgery. She faces up to 14 years imprisonment following a sentencing hearing later this year.

The case was investigated by the OCDC, APD and the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility STIU. The case was prosecuted by Chief Dep. District Attorney Scot Key and Chief Dep. District Attorney James Dickens before Judge Steven Blankenship.

Cristina Carreon can be reached at ccarreon@alamogordonews.com, 575-437-7120 or on Twitter @Cris_carreon90.