2 sentenced to lengthy federal prison sentences for roles in North Texas methamphetamine distribution conspiracy

FORT WORTH, Texas — Two defendants were sentenced Monday to lengthy federal prison terms for their respective roles in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that operated in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 2013.

These sentences were announced by U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.  This case was investigated by the following agencies:  Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor sentenced Andres Silva, 36, to 210 months and Melissa Slade, 40, to 240 months in federal prison.  Each pleaded guilty in July to one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to documents filed in the case, since 2013, Silva supplied methamphetamine to various distributors.  Slade received quantities of methamphetamine on consignment and in turn distributed it to various customers in the North Texas cities of North Richland Hills, Haltom City and Fort Worth.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Smith, Northern District of Texas, was in charge of the prosecution.