United States Drug Enforcement Administration

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Jose Maria Calderon, 48, of Springdale, Arkansas, was sentenced to serve 65 months in federal prison Wednesday for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.  The sentence was announced by Drug Enforcement (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge Matthew Barden and Kenneth Elser, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas.

According to court records, on two separate occasions between November, 2015 and March, 2016, investigators with the DEA and the Springdale Narcotics Unit conducted two controlled buys with an intermediary for Calderon in which a quantity of methamphetamine was delivered by the intermediary to a confidential source.  During the incidents, Calderon would arrive at the public location and make contact with the intermediary but not receive funds nor directly distribute methamphetamine to the confidential source.  Subsequently, investigators issued a search warrant on Calderon’s address in Springdale.  Upon arriving, officer searched Calderon finding cash and multiple cell phones on his person.  He agreed to cooperate and led officers to a large quantity of methamphetamine concealed inside a lampshade.  He admitted that during the past year he had been receiving methamphetamine each month. In addition to methamphetamine, officers found a quantity of cocaine, $15,699 in U.S. currency, digital scales, packaging materials, a heat sealer, and wire transfer receipts.

Calderon was indicted by a federal grand jury in May, 2016 and pleaded guilty in July.

“Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug and one of the most destructive drugs we face today.  DEA and our law enforcement partners are working hard to thwart the threat of methamphetamine distribution and abuse here in the Western District of Arkansas,” stated Barden.  “We have successfully collaborated in order to put this drug dealer in federal prison as a result of his desire to supply the citizens in Springdale with methamphetamine.”

The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Springdale Narcotics Unit. 

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. 

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