FAYETTEVILLE (KFSM) – Three men have been sentenced to a combined total of 31 years in prison for distributing methamphetamine, according to a news release from Conner Eldridge, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas.
The first man, George Robert, 40, of Springdale, was investigated in November and December of 2013 by law enforcement agents. They arranged three controlled purchases of meth from Robert, the release states. It was decided in court he was a career offender because of previous convictions in 2001 for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute meth and a 2007 conviction for delivery of a controlled substance, according to the release. He was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison.
The second man, Francisco J. Galvan, 47, of Springdale was investigated by the Springdale Police Department for trafficking activities in the fall of 2013. He was stopped by an Arkansas state trooper that year with one pound of meth in his vehicle. He was also ruled as a criminal offender in court and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the release states.
The final man, Rafael Silva, 30, of Springdale had a search warrant executed on his residence by the Drug Enforcement Administration in December of 2013, according to the release. Inside, investigators found a quarter of a pound of meth, a handgun, ammunition, a bullet-proof vest and $5,437 in cash. Although he wasn’t decided to be a career offender, he is a previously-convicted felon and was sentenced to nine years in prison, the release states.
Eldridge commented, “The fact that all three of these defendants have been previously convicted of felony drug offenses, and that two of them are “career offenders”, shows a flagrant disrespect for the law. Drug trafficking represents a tremendous problem in our communities by bringing crime and violence onto our streets and by exposing our kids to serious risks. The sentences pronounced today shows that my office and state and federal law enforcement will remain focused on identifying and prosecuting those who commit these crimes.”
District Court Judge Timothy L. Brooks handed down the sentences in Fayetteville, according to the release.
