Twenty-three individuals have been federally charged with drug crimes related to methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking in Lubbock, Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham.
The defendants, named in nine separate indictments, were apprehended on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, and made their initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge Amanda ‘Amy’ R. Burch.
The investigation, which began in March 2023, resulted in the seizure of over 43 kilograms of methamphetamine, 285.4 grams of fentanyl (approximately 1,902 pills), 335.5 grams of cocaine, 2,296.7 grams of marijuana, and six firearms. The fentanyl seized represents a potential 21,662 lethal doses.
The defendants charged include: Vida Tamor Overstreet, Patrick Wayne Frazier, Juantay Dewayne Frazier, David Wayne Frazier, Santiago Daniel Baltazar, Walter Wood, Santos Moncada, Jessie Franco, Shondra Christine Walker, Orian Emanuel Garcia, Rudolfo Luna, Adam Lee Arredondo, Justin Lee Dominguez, Anthony James Lockett, Rita Adelita Castillo, Paul Wayne Frazier, Charles Andre Sykes, Heather Jane Whitehead, Henry Tienda, Jr., Gary Dewayne Bolton, Arhmad Rashad Fountain, Rubith Diaz Rodriguez, and Tyler Kristian Piseno.
"Cooperation of local, state and federal law enforcement led to success in disrupting a drug trafficking organization," said Dallas FBI Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. "These arrests will have a considerable impact on the distribution of methamphetamine in the greater-Lubbock area, and law enforcement will continue work together to ensure the safety and security of our communities."
"This operation sends a clear message that we will not tolerate the flow of illegal drugs into our neighborhoods," said Eduardo A. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA.
If convicted, some defendants face up to life in federal prison.
The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the FBI, Texas Department of Public Safety, DEA, Caprock HIDTA Task Force, U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Lubbock Police Department, Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Anti-Gang Center, Levelland Police Department, and Hockley County Sheriff’s Office.
The prosecution stems from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation, which targets high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations.
This investigation is also part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling transnational criminal organizations.
