A Mexican citizen living in Eureka Springs was sentenced Friday in Fort Smith to federal prison for distributing methamphetamine.
Fernando Canales-Mendoza, 52, was sentenced to 10 years in prison followed by five years supervised release. He had earlier been found guilty of two counts of distributing methamphetamine, one count of possession of more than 50 grams of meth with intent to deliver and one count of conspiracy to distribute meth.
Canales-Mendoza was originally indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2014 and found guilty in February after a two-day jury trial. U.S. District Judge Robert T. Dawson presided over both the trial and sentencing.
An undercover DEA agent bought an ounce of methamphetamine from Canales-Mendoza for $1,400 on April 30 and was given an additional ounce to be paid for later, according to court documents.
On May 7 the undercover agent paid Canales-Mendoza $1,500 for the fronted ounce and bought an additional ounce of methamphetamine for $1,400.
On Aug. 27 the undercover agent met with the Canales-Mendoza again and requested an additional 4 ounces of methamphetamine. Canales-Mendoza then showed the undercover agent about 3½ ounces of methamphetamine he had, which prompted the agent to say he would leave and get more money to buy the methamphetamine.
Once the agent left, other DEA agents arrested Canales-Mendoza. A search of his business revealed 137 grams of methamphetamine.
This case was investigated by the DEA, Washington County Sheriff's Office and the Carroll County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brandon Carter and Sydney Butler prosecuted the case.
NW News on 04/18/2015