James T. Jacks
Acting United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

JURY CONVICTS METHAMPHETAMINE TRAFFICKER WHO
NOW FACES A MANDATORY TERM OF LIFE IN PRISON, WITHOUT PAROLE

Methamphetamine was Distributed in North Fort Worth and North Richland Hills, Texas

FORT WORTH, Texas, — A federal jury in U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means’ court has convicted David Vaught, 42, of Fort Worth, of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks of the Northern District of Texas. Vaught faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

The government presented evidence at trial that Vaught conspired with co-defendants, Eric Daniel Riojas, Jose Luis Riojas, Jose Luis Riojas, Jr., Rogelio Luna, Jorge Pena and Kyle Myers, who have all pleaded guilty to their role in the methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. All were indicted in November 2008 by a federal grand jury in Fort Worth and most were arrested the following month. Last month, Eric Daniel Riojas was sentenced by Judge Means to 188 months in federal prison; the remaining defendants are awaiting sentencing.

In addition, at trial, the government presented evidence that Vaught conspired to purchase between one and two pounds of methamphetamine per week, over the course of one year, from co-defendant Eric Daniel Riojas. Evidence presented showed that the methamphetamine was distributed in North Fort Worth and North Richland Hills, Texas.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua T. Burgess and Alex C. Lewis.

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