Netherlands woman pleads guilty to money laundering in Latham

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- A Netherlands woman pleaded guilty Thursday for conspiracy to commit money laundering. Xiomara Christian, 37, faces up to 20 years in prison.

Christian admitted that from May 2017 to November 2018, she and a co-conspirator laundered drug proceeds from Europe and Australia through bank accounts in Latham. Christian delivered over $172,000 in drug proceeds to undercover agents in both the Netherlands and Australia. She then had the money wired through a Latham bank account and sent to bank accounts in Panama.

The U.S. Department of Justice said the intent was to conceal the true source of the proceeds and make it look like the money was legally obtained through businesses transactions. In addition to up to 20 years in prison, Christian faces a fine up to $500,000.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 19, 2025. The Case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Douglas Collyer.