The “Breaking Bad” grandmother accused of running an international drug ring out of her San Jose, Calif., home is apparently cooperating with federal authorities, The Post has learned.
Legal sources told The Post that “the wheels are already in motion” as Joanne Segovia’s trial in her federal case continues to be delayed — which they say usually indicates a deal is being worked on.
Meanwhile, the 64-year-old grandmother seems to be staying positive even with a possible 20-year prison sentence hanging over her head.
“He even told one of the neighbors that the case had been dropped,” a source close to Segovia told The Post.
Segovia, who is out on bail and does not have to wear an ankle monitor, has not appeared in court since his initial appearance in March.
At that appearance, he pleaded not guilty. Segovia previously claimed the mastermind behind the drug operation was actually her maid — a “family friend” who had a substance abuse problem, according to a Homeland Security Investigations report.
Joanne Marian Segovia, known as the “Breaking Bad” grandmother, attended her grandson’s Little League baseball game at the Branham Hills Little League field in San Jose, California. David G. McIntyre for the NY Post
Segovia’s case has since been prosecuted more than five times, which usually signals a “strike” on others tied to the case, according to Lou Shapiro, a legal analyst and federal criminal defense attorney.
“In federal cases, the only way defendants can significantly reduce their sentences is to cooperate,” Shapiro told The Post. “This means having several meetings with the prosecutor to discuss who you are working with.
“It can then take months to prepare a disguised sting [on the other criminals implicated]so in federal cases, that could be an average of one to two years.”
Segovia has been compared to ‘Breaking Bad’ main character Walter White because of his secret drug dealing life. Joanne Segovia (center) is executive director of the San Jose Police Officers Association. He is accused of importing large amounts of fentanyl and other illegal prescription drugs into the US, even using his organization’s official UPS account as part of the alleged scheme, according to investigators.Joanne Segovia/Facebook
Whether Segovia has agreed to cooperate with federal authorities will be kept under seal. It is also possible that the delay in court was due to other factors completely beyond his control, as no reason was listed in the federal court documents.
Segovia’s legal team did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Segovia — often referred to as the “grandma” of the San Jose Police Officers Association — allegedly used her home computer and her computer at the police union office to pay for shipments of controlled substances, including the tranquilizers Zolpidem, the painkillers Tapentadol and Tramadol and heavier substances including fentanyl, according to federal charging documents.
Joanne Segovia with her husband, Dom. Joanne Segovia/Facebook
Segovia received at least 61 packages at his San Jose home from various countries — including China, Canada and India — between October 2015 and January 2023, according to the 13-page complaint.
The packages were reportedly disguised and labeled as food supplements, wedding favors, makeup, chocolates and other items to hide the drugs, prosecutors said.
When he was arrested, neighbors commented on Segovia’s “Breaking Bad”-style double life, comparing him to the show’s main character, chemistry teacher-turned-drug dealer Walter White. A friend of Segovia told The Post that he was very normal and unassuming.
Prosecutors claim sufficient evidence was found against Joanne Segovia, including this receipt from the San Jose Police Officers Association UPS account that Segovia allegedly used to ship drugs across the country. Northern District of California
“My heart is that he just got caught up in something that he didn’t know about and for whatever reason, it got out of hand for him,” the friend said.
Despite her arrest making national news, the doting grandmother has managed to maintain a normal life and has been seen happily attending her grandson’s Little League games, running errands and taking court-approved vacations.
Court documents obtained by The Post show Segovia asked the court for permission to leave his hometown of San Jose in late September and travel to San Diego with his daughter and grandson for a family vacation.
Joanne Segovia allegedly used her home and work computers to get multi-kilogram shipments of drugs, including Zolpidem, Tapentadol and Tramadol, delivered to her home. San Jose Police Officers Association/Linkedin Joanne Segovia (in red hat and white blouse) smiles as she watches her grandson’s Little League game.David G. McIntyre for the NY Post
The judge signed off on the request after Segovia prepared his itinerary for the trip.
“He went on vacation! He comes in and out as he pleases. them [federal authorities] don’t seem to worry too much about him,” the source added.
This is the second vacation the businessman has taken since he was arrested in March. She also traveled to Reno, Nevada, for a family reunion and baby shower in June, after getting permission from the court.
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