POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 44-year-old Winter Haven woman pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing five grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, federal authorities announced Thursday.

Samantha Calvente faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and up to 40 years in federal prison, according to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

Court records show the charge stems from an incident on August 21, 2022, when Calvente arrived at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County to visit her husband, an inmate identified in filings as R.C.

Upon entering the facility, Calvente told correctional officers she was not carrying any prohibited items or illegal narcotics. However, after entering the visitation area, prison staff noticed her pull an unknown package from her waistband and place it between her legs.

Officers quickly removed Calvente from the room. Before staff could conduct a physical search, Calvente handed over an object wrapped in black latex material. Testing confirmed the package contained more than 24 grams of methamphetamine.

Following the discovery, Calvente admitted to investigators that she had previously smuggled contraband into prison facilities for her husband.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorneys Hannah Watson and Anthony C. Marek are prosecuting the case.