Jasper County felon sentenced for federal firearms and drug trafficking crimes

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Buna man has been sentenced to over 33 years in federal prison for firearms and drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Leotis Cornelius McMahon, 48, was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on February 5, 2025.  McMahon was sentenced to 400 months in federal prison by Judge Crone on August 27, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in 2023, law enforcement was investigating McMahon for distributing narcotics within Southeast Texas.  On January 5, 2024, following a prolonged surveillance operation, a traffic stop was conducted on McMahon in Lumberton where he was found to be transporting nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine.  After the traffic stop, a search warrant for McMahon’s residence in Buna was obtained and executed.  Law enforcement discovered materials used in the distribution of narcotics as well as four separate firearms, one being an AR style pistol. One of the firearms seized from McMahon’s residence was stolen.

McMahon was operating what was described as a mobile illegal drug shop.  The amounts of controlled substances, along with the tools used in trafficking such as scales and bags used for distribution, seized from McMahon indicated that he was dealing significant quantities of drugs for profit.

Further investigation revealed McMahon is a convicted felon and prohibited by federal law from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

This case 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; Texas Department of Public Safety – Criminal Investigations; Lumberton Police Department; Jasper County Sheriff’s Office; Beaumont Police Department; and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Lee and John B. Ross.

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