HSI Tucson, multiagency case results in 11-year sentence for weapon-possessing felon who distributed meth
TUCSON, Ariz. — Earlier this month, a judge sentenced an Arizona man to 135 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possessing to distribute methamphetamine and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation in this case.
Sean Lee Arnold, 51, of Tucson, previously pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“Some might argue that a convicted felon would have learned their lesson and not further and intentionally engage in illegal activity,” said HSI Arizona Special Agent in Charge Scott Brown. “However, in this particular case, the defendant decided to do the opposite. HSI and our partner agencies will not stand by while criminals believe they will not be caught. This lengthy sentence is a result of our resources coming together to provide safe neighborhoods for the people of Arizona.”
On Aug. 31, 2021, law enforcement agents served a search warrant on Arnold’s home in central Tucson and found approximately 1.35 kilograms of pure methamphetamine and a rifle. Arnold admitted to agents that he bought and sold multiple pounds of methamphetamine a month and that he knew he was prohibited from possessing weapons.
This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multiagency approach. Learn more about the OCDETF Program.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Arizona in Tucson Ashley Culver and David Petermann handled the prosecution.
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.
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