UTEP Graduate Student Cleared Of Smuggling Pot

Left with no choice but to plead guilty to drug trafficking charges in federal court, a UTEP graduate is now a free woman again.

Michelle Renee Devora, who was arrested in March 2011 after 87 pounds of marijuana was found in the trunk of her car as she crossed the border into the U.S., was freed Thursday after pleading guilty.

Judge Kathleen Cardone delivered the news that charges against Devora were being dropped, and she could be the first of many more to have their names cleared as a federal investigation unfolds.

“You hardly see things like this happen, and I really commend the government for coming forward, working hard and admitting there was a mistake done,” said Devora’s attorney Ruben Hernandez. “And now justice today was served.”

But justice came at a price, Hernandez said.

“She’s a graduate, she’s educated, she comes from a great family, graduated from UTEP and was about to work on her master’s,” Hernandez said.

Similar to Dr. Justus Opot and La Fe Preparatory school teacher Ana Isela Martinez Amaya, Devora was a regular on the dedicated commuter lane at the Stanton Street bridge.

“There’s a lot of people in her situation, but the government is working hard,” Hernandez said.

Months later, an FBI investigation found a drug trafficking ring was targeting border crossers with predictable schedules. They would jot down their vehicle ID numbers to make keys and plant drugs in the trunks of their cars. Once the unsuspecting drivers crossed the bridge and left for work or school, the smugglers would pick up the load.

“The federal system has its flaws,” Hernandez said

Devora always maintained her innocence. But in the federal system, Hernandez said, you risk passing up a much lighter sentence by pleading not guilty.

“If you don’t plead guilty, then you’re looking at a stiffer sentence if you’re convicted by a jury,” Hernandez said.

The fact that Devora is free is rare, Hernandez said.

“You don’t see this everyday. You hardly see this,” he said

An FBI special agent said the agency is pleased with the exoneration and said it will investigate each of the similar case individually.

The U.S. attorney’s office would only say it continues to investigate.

As for Devora, her lawyer told said she’s hoping to continue with her studies.