Two Albert Lea residents pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Freeborn County District Court to selling methamphetamine on separate occasions to undercover officers.

Juan Antonio Esparza-Martinez, 35, and Melyssa Ellen Dominguez, 23, each face presumptive sentences of at least four years in prison, said Assistant Freeborn County Attorney David Walker. Depending on their criminal history, the sentences could be higher.

 

Juan Antonio Esparza-Martinez

Esparza-Martinez had initially faced four counts of first-degree meth sales tied to three sales in August and October, according to court files.

He pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree meth sales in connection to an Aug. 16 sale of 28 grams of the drug at the Lagos Repair shop, 1517 S.E. Broadway. The meth was weighed at a drug enforcement agency crime lab.

Esparza-Martinez said in court he sold the meth to make money for bills.

His remaining counts are expected to be dismissed at his sentencing hearing.

 

Melyssa Ellen Dominguez

Dominguez was arrested in March after two meth sales with a Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office deputy.

She initially was charged with one count of first-degree meth sales and two counts of second-degree meth sales and pleaded guilty to one second-degree count tied to a sale on March 14 of about 7 grams.

According to court documents, the sale took place in the parking lot of Nelson’s Market Place.

Dominguez reportedly exchanged the drug for the money in the deputy’s car, while her ex-husband waited in the other car with a baby.

She also pleaded guilty in court to a count of aiding and abetting receiving stolen property tied to a separate incident.

Esparza-Martinez and Dominguez are slated to be sentenced Aug. 29.