North Texas man sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for role in methamphetamine distribution conspiracy

FORT WORTH, Texas — A North Texas man was sentenced Monday to 240 months in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.

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

Gary Howard, 35, most recently of Weatherford, Texas, pleaded guilty in July 2015 to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine.

According to documents filed in the case, since 2014, Howard and other co-defendants received multi-ounce and pound quantities of methamphetamine on consignment.  In turn, Howard distributed the methamphetamine to various customers in the Dallas, Fort Worth and North Richland Hills, Texas areas, returning to his supplier for additional methamphetamine to distribute.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shawn Smith was in charge of the prosecution.