U.S Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham has announced that a Dallas man has been charged with gun and drug crimes following his arrest on April 14.
According to the announcement, DEA agents had instructed a “confidential source” to negotiate the purchase of five kilograms of meth from a Mexican drug dealer through WhatsApp.
The drug dealer referred the source to a local supplier, later identified as 23-year-old Angel Manuel Fuentes-Melendez.
The source and Fuentes were scheduled to meet early in the evening on April 14 at a parking lot on Lombardy Lane in northwest Dallas.
Fuentes arrived at the meeting point in a black Lincoln SUV and pulled up behind the source’s vehicle, parked in the gas station lot.
The source approached Fuentes’ vehicle and discovered that the 23-year-old allegedly had methamphetamine in the back seat. Observing the scenario, agents in covert police vehicles quickly surrounded the suspect’s SUV before activating their lights.
Fuentes apparently tried to flee the scene but collided with the police car behind him. The 23-year-old was arrested without further incident and transported to a police station.
At the police station, Fuentes reportedly admitted that he was on a directive to deliver five kilograms of methamphetamine to the source, as well as that he had previously distributed about 20 kilograms of meth a month for the last five months.
Agents also carried out a search warrant at Fuentes’ home. They allegedly discovered 33 kilograms of crystal meth hidden in his bedroom and a Ruger 9mm pistol on top of a dresser.
Fuentes was indicted on May 3 on one count each of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
Fuentes is now facing life in federal prison if convicted of those charges. It is not clear if he has an attorney.
