A Texas man from Maypearl has been handed a sentence of over 17 years by a federal court in Del Rio, following his guilty plea in a methamphetamine smuggling conspiracy, details from the U.S. Attorney’s Office reveal.

Stetson Lee Spearman, age 36, was implicated as an organizer and leader in the operation, which involved transporting 3.422 kilograms of undiluted methamphetamine from Mexico to the United States through the Del Rio Port of Entry on July 25, 2020, he provided his truck for the smuggling and coordinated with accomplices, Linnette Rodriguez-Potter was the one behind the wheel according to court filings, Joshua Keith Stewart was tasked with oversight, and Sally Renae Smith handled communication with Rodriguez-Potter for logistical support. Spearman's arrest came on December 10, 2021, and he entered his guilty plea for conspiracy to import methamphetamine the following April.

Related sentencings for Spearman’s associates were also reported; Rodriguez-Potter received a 168-month prison term in December of last year, while Stewart was sentenced to 235 months in October 2024, and Smith got a 292-month sentence early in February 2024, "Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas made the announcement," as per the official statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The case was probed by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley serving as the prosecutor. These events spotlight the ongoing battle against drug trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border, as federal agencies continue to intercept illegal substances and prosecute those involved in such conspiracies, efforts to stem the tide of illicit drugs are ongoing and sentences like Spearman's serve as both punishment and deterrent to others engaged in or considering participation in such activities.