BEAUMONT, Texas – Sixteen individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with a federal methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy that spanned multiple East Texas counties, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The charges stem from an indictment returned by a federal grand jury on April 2, 2025, in the Eastern District of Texas. Officials say the defendants face various federal drug and gun charges tied to a large-scale meth distribution network operating in Angelina, Nacogdoches, and Polk counties.
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A multi-agency operation led to the arrests on April 16, 2025. Authorities say the investigation began in November 2022 and has since resulted in the seizure of more than 10 kilograms of methamphetamine and 14 firearms.
According to court records, the following individuals have been charged:
- Albert Lopez, 39, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime;
- Adaryl Douglas, 45, charges with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime;
- Hector Gomez, 40, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Oscar Padilla, 44, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Leanna Jean Busby, 45, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Amanda McBride, 43, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- John Christopher Rios, 53, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Jose Pedro Guzman Jr., 34, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Lorene Michelle Baker, 44, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- David Davis, Jr., 48, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Penny Ann King, 51, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Jodi Calvin Sparkman, 53, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Christopher Dewayne Harvey, 51, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine;
- Gary Mills, 65, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm;
- Clifton Collin-Dakota Smith, 32, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine; and
- Corey Mullan, 39, charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
If convicted, each defendant faces 10 years to life in federal prison.
Authorities also arrested Eduardo Barajas-Macias, 32, identified as a close associate of the criminal conspiracy. He is charged separately with unlawful reentry by a removed or deported alien.
The arrests are part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice (DOJ) initiative aimed at total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). The operation involves collaboration between the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Federal officials stress that an indictment is not a conviction. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
