Liberty County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Trafficking Methamphetamine in School Zone
BEAUMONT, Texas – A Liberty man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge William Kimbell of the Houston Division Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr.
Thomas James Lawson, 35, pleaded guilty to possession to distribute methamphetamine within 1000 feet of a school and was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on April 17, 2025.
According to information presented in court, in January 2024, law enforcement authorities received information that Lawson was involved in the distribution of methamphetamine and other narcotics. During the investigation, drugs were purchased from Lawson at his Liberty residence.
On January 31, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Lawson’s residence resulting in the discovery of a backpack on his bed. Inside the backpack, investigators found multiple vacuum sealed bags containing crystal methamphetamine, a vacuum sealed bag containing marijuana, numerous clear baggies containing red/orange pills marked “AD-30”, two pill bottles labeled as Adderall, and numerous bottles of Xanax pills. Additionally, deputies found a digital scale and other drug paraphernalia in the backpack. A further search of Lawson’s bedroom revealed over $2000 in U.S. currency. While searching the kitchen, investigators located another large amount of crystal-like substance, which was determined to be methamphetamine. A total of 862.51 grams of actual methamphetamine was recovered.
Lawson’s residence is within 1000 feet of the Liberty Elementary School and the school playground. A school zone sign is located on Lawson’s street and children were playing on the school playground while the search warrant was executed at his residence.
This case was investigated by the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Quinn.
