A California truck driver could be facing life in prison after being convicted on drug charges related to the largest methamphetamine seizure in Arkansas history.
Fifty-six year old truck driver Javier Leon was convicted on charges of possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine in a Little Rock courthouse this week. He faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, but could face up to as much as life in prison. Courts could also assign fines of up to $10 million. The courts have ruled that Leon’s semi may be seized by the government.
Leon, who was an owner operator hauling goods for a California furniture company, was arrested on March 30, 2015, when Arkansas State Police became suspicious after spotting his rig parked on the shoulder of I-40 in Lonoke County. After speaking to Leon, troopers brought in a drug sniffing dog. The dog alerted to the presence of drugs and troopers searched the semi trailer.
There they discovered over 262 pounds of methamphetamine in both liquid and powder form hidden in the load of furniture. Authorities said that this was “enough methamphetamine to supply every man, woman and child in Little Rock” and that the street value of the seized drugs was $7 to $8 million.
The DEA was involved in the investigation.
Leon will be sentenced at a later date.