A Texas Tech University professor and two other individuals have been charged in federal court for allegedly participating in a fentanyl distribution conspiracy, according to an announcement by United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Daniel Taylor, 50, an assistant professor of marketing and supply chain management at Texas Tech’s Rawls College of Business, was charged on February 18, 2026. The charges include conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. Also facing charges are Alisha Red-Eagle, 21, and Mackenzie Gilcrease, 28, both residents of Lubbock.
Federal authorities allege that Taylor distributed two types of fentanyl powder referred to as “Pink Flamingo” and “Ghost.” The complaint states that Taylor had been under investigation for several months. On January 12, 2026, law enforcement observed Red-Eagle meeting with Taylor at a convenience store in Lubbock. After leaving Taylor’s vehicle, Red-Eagle entered a white SUV which was later stopped by deputies. Inside the SUV, officers responded to a reported overdose involving suspected fentanyl supplied by Red-Eagle. Emergency services administered Narcan at the scene. During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered five fentanyl pills, a clear bag containing fentanyl powder, aluminum foil wrappers with residue, and additional drug paraphernalia.
“Instead of focusing on teaching students supply chain management, the defendant, as alleged, was developing and implementing his own supply chain of lethal fentanyl into the streets of Lubbock,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. “As alleged, at least in one instance, the fentanyl the defendant peddled through his drug trafficking organization caused an overdose. We hope the students of Texas Tech and the Lubbock community understand that my office will vigorously prosecute drug dealers and drug traffickers no matter if you are a professor or a street level dealer.”
DEA Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker commented: “This arrest underscores the stark and troubling irony that an individual entrusted with educating others instead chose to distribute one of the deadliest drugs facing our communities today. While this conduct is in no way reflective of Texas Tech University, it highlights that fentanyl trafficking can emerge from any corner of our society, and DEA, alongside our federal, state, and local partners, remains committed to identifying and holding accountable those who choose to profit from this poison.”
The complaint also describes events from February 17 when agents saw Gilcrease visit Taylor’s residence before being stopped by deputies while driving away. A K-9 unit alerted officers to narcotics inside Gilcrease’s truck; three pink plastic baggies containing fentanyl were found inside an envelope marked with a pink flamingo graphic along with methamphetamine. A subsequent search warrant executed early on February 18 at Taylor’s home led officers to multiple quantities of white powder testing positive for methamphetamine as well as packaging materials matching those found during earlier searches.
All three defendants appeared before a magistrate judge in Lubbock for their initial hearings and remain in federal custody pending further proceedings. If convicted on these charges each could face up to twenty years in federal prison.
The investigation involved cooperation among several agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office and Lubbock Police Department through joint task forces such as the Texas Anti-Gang Center and Caprock Hi-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area group.
Assistant United States Attorney Stephen Rancourt is prosecuting this case.
Authorities emphasized that criminal complaints are allegations only; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
