Dallas man sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas
SHERMAN, Texas –A Dallas man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Esteban Castillo, 26, of Dallas, pleaded guilty to conspiracy with intent to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant, III on March 19, 2026.
According to information presented in court, in 2021, federal agents began investigating a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) operating a narcotics distribution cell in the North Texas area. The investigation revealed Castillo was part of a conspiracy purchasing large amounts of illegal drugs including methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and marijuana for further distribution. The conspiracy involved at least 45 kilograms or more of methamphetamine.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Denison Police Department, and Mesquite Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Johnson.
