LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Authorities have sentenced two leaders of a major methamphetamine operation to 16 years and 8 months each in federal prison, plus five years of supervised release.
Adan Mendoza, 36, from Dallas, Texas, received his sentence on July 19. Brian I. Wilson, 37, from Little Rock, was sentenced on July 12.
Wilson and Mendoza were the primary defendants in a 20-count indictment involving nine defendants, returned by a federal grand jury on September 8, 2022.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began its investigation into the drug trafficking ring in central Arkansas in late 2021. They found that Wilson managed the local operation while Mendoza supplied drugs from Dallas.
Wilson either transported the drugs personally or had associates retrieve them weekly for distribution throughout Arkansas.
Using confidential informants, the DEA purchased a kilogram of meth from Wilson on two occasions. They later seized five kilograms of meth and one kilogram of cocaine from him after a traffic stop on his return from Dallas.
Mendoza is also linked to a separate federal conspiracy case in Texas that started in 2019. During surveillance in Dallas, DEA agents saw Mendoza and Wilson’s associate, co-defendant Michael Odom, meet and then leave with a large bag.
Following a high-speed chase, authorities arrested Odom and seized 2.8 kilograms of meth he had received from Mendoza.
All nine defendants have pleaded guilty. Among them, 47-year-old David Chad Lane of North Little Rock will serve 96 months in prison, and 37-year-old Samuel L. Johnson of Little Rock faces 65 months in prison. Sentencing for the remaining defendants will occur at a later date.
In March 2024, Mendoza and Wilson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. They were held accountable for distributing between 5-15 kilograms of meth, which mandates a minimum 10-year sentence in their plea agreements.
The investigation was led by the DEA with assistance from the Arkansas State Police, North Little Rock Police Department, Little Rock Police Department, Lonoke Sheriff’s Office, and Arkansas Community Correction.
