California Man Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking

            El Dorado, Arkansas - Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Mario McGeilberry, age 29 of Rialto, California, was sentenced yesterday to 140 months in federal prison followed by four (4) years of supervised release on one count of Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances with the Intent to Distribute. The Honorable Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in El Dorado.

            According to the Defendant’s Plea Agreement, beginning in September, 2014, agents with the FBI and the 13^th Judicial Drug Task Force initiated an investigation into a drug trafficking organization in Camden and elsewhere in the Western District of Arkansas. Mario McGeilberry was identified as a multi­kilogram supplier of methamphetamine in that area. During the course of the investigation in January, 2015 cooperating targets discussed the acquisition of several pounds of methamphetamine from a source of supply in California, who was later identified by law enforcement as Mario McGeilberry. Mail records confirmed multiple shipments from individuals in San Bernardino, California to a known narcotics distributor in the Western District of Arkansas. 

            On February 11, 2015, McGeilberry was arrested by an Arkansas state trooper in Lake Village, Arkansas and was found to have in his possession approximately five (5) ounces of methamphetamine and a half pound of marijuana.   He disclosed that the methamphetamine he was apprehended with was destined to be delivered in the Western District of Arkansas.  He further stated that he was engaged in trafficking methamphetamine through the mail.  He estimated that seven (7) pounds of methamphetamine were shipped to the Western District of Arkansas during the course of his dealings here.  The substance seized in his traffic stop was sent to the Arkansas State Crime lab where it was tested and found to be over 50 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine.

            McGeilberry was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury on February 25, 2015 and pleaded guilty to the charge on December 1, 2015. 

            “The success of this investigation is a tribute to strong partnerships which demonstrates our combined impact on targeting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations that peddle dangerous drugs to our neighborhoods,” said Special Agent in Charge Diane Upchurch of the FBI Little Rock Field Office.  “We appreciate the efforts of the 13^th Judicial Drug Task Force and the United States Attorney’s Office.”

            This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the 13^th Judicial Drug Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Ben Wulff prosecuted the case for the United States.

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Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website @ www.pacer.gov