16 people in East Texas arrested for wide-spread meth trafficking conspiracy
BEAUMONT, Texas (KETK)– 16 people were arrested in East Texas after a wide-spread meth trafficking conspiracy.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Texas, a federal indictment has resulted in 16 people charged with various violations related to a wide-spread meth trafficking conspiracy. The indictment returned by a federal grand jury on April 2 charging the suspects with federal drug and gun violations with those in custody making initial appearances on Wednesday.
Officials said since November 2022 law enforcement has seized over 10 kilograms of meth and 14 firearms. The following people were allegedly involved in the meth conspiracy in Angelina, Nacogdoches and Polk counties:
- Albert Lopez, 39, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
- Adaryl Douglas, 45, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
- Hector Gomez, 40, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- Oscar Padilla, 44, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- Leanna Jean Busby, 45, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- Amanda McBride, 43, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- John Christopher Rios, 53, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- Jose Pedro Guzman Jr., 34, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- Lorene Michelle Baker, 44, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- David Davis, Jr., 48, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- Penny Ann King, 51, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- Jodi Calvin Sparkman, 53, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- Christopher Dewayne Harvey, 51, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- Gary Mills, 65, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm
- Clifton Collin-Dakota Smith, 32, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
- Corey Mullan, 39, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine
If these people are convicted, officials said they face from 10 years to life in federal prison. As part of the investigation, Eduardo Barajas-Macias, 32, a known associate of the criminal conspiracy by officers, was also arrested and charged with unlawful reentry after being removed or deported.
“This investigation is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime,” U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
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