United States Drug Enforcement Administration

TEXARKANA, TX– A Texarkana man has been indicted for federal drug trafficking and firearms violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Daniel C. Comeaux, Houston Division and U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston today. 

Darell Montrell Trotter, 32, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Feb. 16, 2022, charging him with possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.  Trotter made an initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven. 

According to the indictment, on Dec. 14, 2021, Trotter possessed more than 400 grams of fentanyl, which he intended to distribute to others.  On that same day, Trotter was found in possession of a pistol, a shotgun, and a rifle in furtherance of his drug trafficking. 

If convicted, Trotter faces from 15 years to life in federal prison.

This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Texarkana, Texas Police Department; Texarkana, Arkansas, Police Department; the Texas Department of Public Safety; and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan R. Hornok.

A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.