Rogers Man Sentenced to 10 Years In Federal Prison For Drug Trafficking

Fayetteville, Arkansas - Duane (DAK) Kees, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Henry Velasco, age 31, of Rogers, Arkansas, was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, and a $1,900.00 fine for one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute of more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine. The Honorable Timothy L. Brooks presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court in Fayetteville.

According to court records, the Springdale Police Department Narcotics Unit received information that Velasco was distributing methamphetamine while staying at the Executive Inn in Springdale, Arkansas. Investigators conducted surveillance on Velasco at the Executive Inn. When Velasco exited the motel room, he was carrying a backpack, which contained three bags of methamphetamine, 50.5 grams of marijuana, 13 LSD tablets, and $1,240.00 in cash. After being read his Miranda rights, Velasco, admitted that the contents of the backpack belonged to him, and that he had stayed two nights at the motel. The substance recovered was sent to the DEA Crime Lab and was confirmed to contain 51.1 grams of actual methamphetamine.

Velasco was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2018, entered a guilty plea in November 2018.

This case was investigated by the Springdale Police Department Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Amy Driver prosecuted the case for the United States.