Meth Kingpin Free Gets 22 Years

BEAUMONT, Texas – A Buna man is off the streets for a long, long time after being sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for flooding Eastern Texas with methamphetamine. U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston announced the sentence today, a rare win in a state drowning in hard drugs.

Larry Wayne Free, 40, pleaded guilty on June 30, 2022, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone didn’t show him any leniency, handing down a 264-month sentence on February 2, 2023. This isn’t a slap on the wrist; it’s a serious blow to Free’s operation.

The bust went down in January 2021 when law enforcement caught wind that Free was running a meth distribution hub out of a Nome, Texas residence. Highway 90 became his downfall. A routine traffic stop quickly turned into a major drug seizure when a narcotics K9 unit signaled the presence of contraband. A thorough search of Free’s vehicle revealed a staggering 1,948 grams – nearly 2 kilograms – of pure methamphetamine.

That’s enough to poison a whole town. The sheer quantity of the drug suggests Free wasn’t just a small-time dealer; he was a significant player in the regional methamphetamine pipeline. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 6, 2022, and now faces two decades behind bars. This conviction sends a message: move this poison in Texas, and you *will* pay the price.

The investigation was a coordinated effort, bringing together the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Beaumont Police Department and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office. These agencies worked tirelessly to build a solid case against Free and bring him to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Grove skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring a conviction and a lengthy sentence.

While one dealer is behind bars, the fight against methamphetamine trafficking is far from over. Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and expose the networks that prey on vulnerable communities. This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against the drug epidemic ravaging the nation, and the dedication of law enforcement to combatting it, one dealer at a time.

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