Another Meth Trafficker Heads to Federal Prison

LAREDO, Texas – A 45-year-old Springtown man has been ordered to prison for 11 years following his conviction of transporting approximately 10 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson. Wilburn Harmon Jr. pleaded guilty April 13, 2016.

Today, U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo imposed the 132-month-term and further ordered Harmon to serve five years of supervised release following the prison sentence.

Harmon was arrested July 12, 2014, at the Border Patrol checkpoint just north of Laredo. He had arrived there driving a pickup truck containing 9.856 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine within its driveshaft.

Harmon told authorities he had been hired and was to be paid $400 by someone he knows as a methamphetamine dealer in his hometown of Springtown. He was supposed to travel to Laredo in a van, leave it there and return with the truck. He drove to Laredo, staying awake by injecting himself with methamphetamine. He then picked up the truck from someone who had just driven it into the United States from Mexico a few hours prior.

He began his drive back, but was detained at the checkpoint after authorities discovered the narcotics. Agents also found a bridge crossing receipt which confirmed the truck’s travel from Mexico.

Harmon will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. 

Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation along with Border Patrol and Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jose Homero Ramirez prosecuted the case.