Louisiana man sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations

BEAUMONT, Texas –A Shreveport, Louisiana man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Santana Deangelo Powell, 33, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime and was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael J. Truncale on December 9, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in February 2024, Powell was stopped for a traffic violation on his way to Houston and found in possession of a large amount of cash.  Powell told law enforcement he was planning to buy a vehicle with the money.  A large, concealed compartment was discovered in the trunk of the vehicle.  Although the compartment was empty, it was a compartment that law enforcement suspected could be used to conceal drug shipments. Later that same night, Powell was stopped for a traffic violation in Liberty County.  A search of the vehicle revealed the hidden compartment now contained a large bag filled with 20,000 methamphetamine tablets and over 100 grams of cocaine.  A firearm was also found in the vehicle.

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.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, and the Mt. Enterprise, Texas City Marshal’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Quinn and Reynaldo P. Morin.

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