PECOS – Yesterday, a New Mexico man was sentenced to 240 months in prison for importing and possessing methamphetamine and 60 months in prison for a firearm charge.
According to court documents, Jarod Richard Melancon, 38, was arrested on May 5, 2021, after a federal search warrant was executed on a hotel room in Kermit where Melancon was staying. In the hotel room, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents discovered about 464.3 grams of crystal methamphetamine in a nightstand and approximately 593.5 grams of crystal methamphetamine in a minifridge. Agents also seized a 9mm pistol located near the nightstand.
On July 6, 2021, Melancon pleaded guilty to one count of Importation of Methamphetamine; one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine; and one count of Possessing a Firearm During and in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking crime.
Melancon received 240 months in prison for each of the drug counts to run concurrently. He received another 60 months in prison for the firearm charge that will run consecutive to the drug sentences.
“Methamphetamine is a highly addictive, destructive and dangerous drug,” said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. “Our office is proud to work with our partners at DEA in order to hold traffickers accountable and we resolve to rid our communities of this poison.”
“Methamphetamine trafficking and abuse causes terrible harm to our communities,” said Greg Millard, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division. “DEA will continue to hold meth dealers accountable by having them face justice, shutting down their distribution networks, and seizing their profits.”
The DEA El Paso Division’s Alpine Resident Office investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Ellis prosecuted the case.
###