Fort Worth man sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for role in methamphetamine distribution conspiracy

FORT WORTH, Texas — A Fort Worth man was sentenced last week by U.S. District Judge John McBryde to 20 years in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy.

This sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas. This case was investigated by the following agencies: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Fort Worth Police Department, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Jake Lindsey Hardin, aka “Cash,” 33, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Hardin was a fugitive for six months before his arrest in November 2016.

In between April and August 2016, 80 defendants were charged in drug conspiracy cases related to this case, including some members and associates of the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas prison gang. 

According to plea documents, in 2014 and 2015, Hardin received ounce quantities of methamphetamine from other co-conspirators often on consignment. In turn, Hardin distributed methamphetamine to various customers in the Fort Worth area.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn Smith and Frank Gatto, Northern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.