Final defendant sentenced in large-scale federal drug trafficking case

BEAUMONT, Texas – A large-scale investigation has concluded with multiple individuals being sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.

According to information presented in court, beginning in 2021, law enforcement investigated a drug trafficking organization operating throughout East Texas, identifying Edgar Garcia, Jr. as the primary distributor.  Law enforcement began conducting operations to identify numerous individuals receiving methamphetamine from Garcia. During the investigation, law enforcement executed residential search warrants, purchased methamphetamine and/or firearms directly from Garcia and other members of his drug trafficking organization, and directed traffic stops to intercept narcotics and firearms being transported for distribution. Ultimately, multiple kilograms of methamphetamine were seized during the operation.

Law enforcement was also able to obtain almost a dozen firearms from various individuals in the organization. The firearms were either sold as part of narcotics transactions or being used to guard the illegal drugs.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts.  PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime.  Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.  As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The individuals sentenced to federal prison during the investigation and prosecution of the drug trafficking organization are:

Edgar Garcia Jr., 26, of Nacogdoches, sentenced to 151 months;

Justin Michael Sanchez, 33, of Nacogdoches, sentenced to 235 months;

Beverly Hurst, 26, of Center, sentenced to 151 months;

Jason Clepper, 36, of Goliad, sentenced to 150 months;

Blake Trahan, 29, of Center, sentenced to 48 months;

Austin Yarbrough, 32, of Timpson, sentenced to 188 months;

Laddarus Perkins, 40, of Timpson, sentenced to 135 months;

Jeanese Fenley, 43, of Timpson, sentenced to 70 months; and

Koury Nowell, 49, of Gary City, sentenced to 33 months.

This case was investigated by the FBI; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Texas Department of Public Safety; Shelby County Sheriff’s Office; Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s Office; and Panola County Sheriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Donald S. Carter and Lucas Machicek.

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