United States Drug Enforcement Administration

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Francisco Sanchez, 37 of Rogers, Arkansas was sentenced today to 20 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine, announced Drug Enforcement (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Matthew Barden and Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas.  Sanchez was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. 

According to the plea agreement, on October 13, 2015, DEA agents and deputies of Benton County Sheriff’s Office, while conducting a surveillance operation, approached and detained Sanchez while he was parked at a car wash in Rogers, Arkansas.  A drug detecting canine conducted an open air sniff on the defendant’s vehicle and alerted for the presence of contraband.  Pursuant to this, the vehicle was searched and agents located two separate packages of methamphetamine and a handgun.  The suspected substance was sent to the DEA South Central Laboratory where it was tested and confirmed to be 333.1 grams of actual methamphetamine.  Sanchez was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 11, 2016 and pleaded guilty on May 25, 2016. 

“Through unprecedented partnerships with local enforcement, we are making major progress in preventing meth trafficking from taking hold in our community. This investigation is a compelling example of that success,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Matthew Barden.  “We will stand firmly to ensure that criminals who peddle in these poisons and wreak havoc in our communities will face consequences for their criminal activities.”

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. 

Parents and children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.