Lee County Woman Sentenced To 10 Years In Prison For Role In Fentanyl And Methamphetamine Trafficking Scheme

Fort Myers, Florida - U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Christi Lynn Bien Aime (31, Alva) to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to possess with the intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Bien Aime entered a guilty plea on March 27, 2024.

According to court records, in May 2021, Bien Aime solicited an acquaintance to receive a drug-laden package in the mail for her in exchange for cash. The package-which was shipped from California to Cape Coral, Florida, and addressed to a fake name-was intercepted in transit by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) before reaching its final destination. The package contained approximately 3½ kilograms of fentanyl, approximately 1½ kilograms of methamphetamine, and approximately one kilogram of p-Fluorofentanyl (a fentanyl analogue). DEA agents arranged to conduct a "controlled delivery" of the package and deliver it-after it was emptied of any real controlled substances-as it was originally intended to be delivered.

After an undercover DEA agent delivered the package to the residence in Cape Coral, Bien Aime's acquaintance accepted the package and delivered it to a nearby gas station as she was instructed by Bien Aime. At the gas station, Bien Aime paid her acquaintance and opened the package, before being approached and detained by DEA agents.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon Eth.