Drug Trafficker With Stolen Law Enforcement Gun Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

A Fort Worth drug trafficker with eight firearms – including one stolen from Tarrant County law enforcement – was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

Juan Carlos Perez, 20, was charged in November 2022. He pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and was sentenced Friday by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor.  

In plea papers, Mr. Perez admitted he conspired to deal methamphetamine, including methamphetamine-laced counterfeit pills.

According to court documents, law enforcement recovered eight firearms, including two AM-15s and two 9mm Glock pistols, from Mr. Perez’s apartment. One of the Glock pistols had previously been reported stolen from a Tarrant County Detention Officer.

On his phone, law enforcement discovered multiple photos and videos of firearms, narcotics, and large quantities U.S. currency. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ Dallas Field Office and the Fort Worth Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Levi Thomas prosecuted the case.