San Angelo Meth Dealer Headed to Federal Prison

SAN ANGELO, TX – A San Angelo methamphetamine trafficker was sentenced to 210 months in federal prison, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.

According to the United States Attorney's Office of the Northen District of Texas, on Jan. 22, Michael Anthony Meza, 40, pleaded guilty in September to possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  He was sentenced last Friday before U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix.

“This sentence spotlights the hard work and dedicated partnership between our local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah.  “We share the same mission of targeting and prosecuting drug traffickers who peddle poison into communities across Texas.”

“This lengthy sentence should send a direct message to anyone engaged in drug trafficking or is contemplating it with dreams of instant wealth and power,” said Ryan L. Spradlin, Special Agent in Charge HSI Dallas. “You will always have to look over your shoulder because HSI will never relent and will use every resource available to turn those dreams into a nightmare.”

According to court documents, a deputy with the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle traveling over the speed limit and conducted a routine traffic stop.

Mr. Meza was identified by law enforcement as the driver of the vehicle. During law enforcement’s initial contact with Mr. Meza, a deputy observed indicators that led him to believe that Mr. Meza was involved in criminal activity.

A narcotic detecting canine was dispatched to the location.  When the canine arrived, it conducted a free-air sniff of Mr. Meza’s vehicle which alerted law enforcement of drugs emitting from inside the car.

Deputies searched Mr. Meza’s vehicle and seized five pistols located throughout the car.  A further search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 100 grams of heroin, 22 grams of cocaine, and 19 grams of marijuana.

Homeland Security Investigations, Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Juanita Fielden prosecuted the case.