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Press Release

California Man Sentenced For Luggage Loaded With Meth At Train Station

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Texas

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs

          TYLER, Texas – A 37-year-old Brawley, CA, man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales today. 

Hercel Vernoy Shultz, III, pleaded guilty on Sep. 5, 2012, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Leonard Davis.

            According to information presented in court, on Feb. 24, 2012, Shultz was arrested after he was found in possession of over 400 grams of methamphetamine which was in his luggage at the Amtrak train station in Longview, Texas.  Before his arrest, Shultz had been traveling from Yuma, Arizona to Longview.

Shultz was indicted by a federal grand jury on Mar. 8, 2012 and charged with federal drug trafficking violations 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA Task Force, Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, Smith County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office and the Longview Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen Hurst.

Updated March 12, 2015