David Hurl Lemmon, 44, of Alma, was sentenced Wednesday in in Fort Smith to 35 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release on one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
In addition, he got 15 years, to be served concurrently, on one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
Lemmon’s conviction was obtained after a three-day jury trial last December.
Two of Lemmon’s co-defendants were also sentenced.
Pedro Valle, age 31, was sentenced to 10 years with three years of supervised release for one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Co-defendant Lisa Zamora, 24, was sentenced to two years, followed by two years of supervised release for one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Judge P.K. Holmes III presided over the sentencing hearings in the United States District Court in Fort Smith.
According to court records, on Jan. 22, 2016, a deputy with the Potter County, Texas, sheriff’s office stopped a vehicle traveling eastbound on Interstate 40 near Amarillo, Texas.
After obtaining consent to search the vehicle from the driver, Zamora, and Hector Vasquez, the deputy located a suitcase in the trunk that contained approximately 50 pounds of suspected methamphetamine.
Testing conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration determined that it was 22.11kg of 98.7% pure methamphetamine.
An investigation determined the transport of the methamphetamine was being facilitated by Pedro Valle, and that the methamphetamine was to be delivered to David Hurl Lemmon, who resided in Alma, Arkansas.
The investigation also resulted in law enforcement recovering seven firearms, including a .40 caliber pistol, a 20-guage shotgun, and an AR-style assault rifle at Lemmon’s residence. Lemmon has at least one prior felony conviction that prohibited him from being in possession of firearms.
Lemmon, Valle, and Zamora were indicted in March 2016. Valle, Zamora, and another co-defendant, John Spencer, pled guilty. Spencer is set for sentencing on June 27.
Vasquez failed to appear for trial and is currently a fugitive.
