BEAUMONT, Texas (KTRE) – A five-year drug investigation that began in Angelina County has resulted in over 30 federal prison sentences, as authorities cracked down on a large methamphetamine trafficking operation.
The investigation, initiated in 2019 by Angelina County officials, focused on individuals involved in trafficking methamphetamines into and through East Texas. As of February 2024, over 30 people have been sentenced for charges related to drug trafficking, firearms possession, and other related offenses.
Those sentenced include individuals from various Texas cities and beyond. Some of the notable sentences include:
Jesus Sanchez-Rueda (33, Houston) – 360 months (30 years)
Jesse Canseco (35, Houston) – 292 months (24 years)
Oscar Negrete (26, Humble) – 68 months (5 years, 8 months)
Jason Thompson (44, Lufkin) – 210 months (17 years, 6 months) + 60 months for firearms violation
Krista Thompson (38, Lufkin) – 95 months (7 years, 11 months) + 60 months for firearms violation
Joshua Gilpin (37, Lufkin) – 121 months (10 years, 1 month) + 60 months for firearms violation (total of 181 months)
Lamarcus Morris (38, Houston) – 235 months (19 years, 7 months)
Luke Bridges (49, Missouri City) – 235 months (19 years, 7 months)
In addition to these sentences, others have received significant prison terms ranging from 37 months to 295 months (24 years, 7 months), and multiple suspects face charges tied to firearms violations.
The investigation was carried out by a collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Angelina County Sheriff’s Office, Lufkin Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Houston Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety-Criminal Investigations Division.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Gaston.
