A Mexican national living in White Settlement, Texas, has been sentenced to federal prison for methamphetamine trafficking, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas.
Hector Eduardo Duarte-Martinez, 23, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. On December 11, 2025, U.S. District Judge Sean D. Jordan sentenced him to 78 months in federal prison.
Court records state that in February 2024, Duarte-Martinez was seen frequenting several residences known for drug trafficking in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Law enforcement searched his residence in White Settlement and seized a large quantity of liquid methamphetamine. Duarte-Martinez admitted responsibility for distributing 45 kilograms of methamphetamine.
The case is part of Operation Take Back America, which uses resources from the Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration and target cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Johnson prosecuted the case.
"This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime."
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