Two North Texas men have been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking fentanyl in the Eastern District of Texas, according to a July 28 announcement by U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Heath Darrian Denson, 28, of Dallas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III. Tyson Lamar Johnson, also known as TY or TeeWhy, 38, of Plano, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. He also received a sentence of 135 months in federal prison from Judge Mazzant on July 28.
According to information presented in court, Denson and Johnson were part of a drug trafficking conspiracy responsible for distributing thousands of counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including the Eastern District of Texas. Johnson operated a trap house on McCallum Avenue in Dallas where law enforcement found a firearm used in support of the illicit drug trafficking operation.
“The scourge of fentanyl has caused devastation and destruction across all of our communities. Trap houses filled with drugs and guns aren’t just figments of Hollywood’s imagination. They are real, tangible, and active in all of our neighborhoods. Texoma HIDTA will remain committed to assisting all of our partners in helping attack this plague on our society. Texoma HIDTA’s commitment to supporting public safety will remain unwavering,” stated Texoma HIDTA Director Keith Brown.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative that marshals resources from the Department of Justice against illegal immigration, cartels, transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and violent crime perpetrators.
The investigation involved the Plano Police Department, FBI, and Texas Department of Public Safety; prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maureen Smith from the Eastern District office—which covers 43 counties across East Texas; employs about 100 staff members including roughly 50 assistant U.S. attorneys; supports victims through dedicated services; delivers civil litigation services; maintains offices in Beaumont, Lufkin, Plano, Sherman, Texarkana and Tyler; and operates as part of the United States Department of Justice—according to the official website.