Mabank Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug Charges

A Mabank man pled guilty to Federal drug trafficking charges of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamines after he entered a guilty plea Monday in a Tyler Federal Court.

Charles Andrew Ford aka Sam Ford, 43, was arrested by Canton Police Officer James Bradshaw during a joint investigation with Van Zandt and Henderson counties.

Bradshaw along with Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Pat Reedy, and Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jody Miller had received information of a drug lab located at a residence off of Van Zandt County Road 2913.

Ford was arrested leaving the residence on July 19, 2008.

"We had been near the residence and could smell the chemicals," Bradshaw said. "We had information that he was up there cooking methamphetamines, and when he left the residence he was pulled over by a Van Zandt County marked unit."

Officers went to the scene and interviewed Ford on the roadside, where Bradshaw said he was given consent to search the vehicle where approximately half a pound of methamphetamines was located.

"We were anticipating a guilty plea from him," Bradshaw said. "During the interview he had admitted to the responsibility of the narcotics and methamphetamines that was found in the vehicle."

Bradshaw said a follow-up on the investigation resulted in the arrest of two more individuals.

Once arrested the U.S. Attorney’s office was contacted and the case was accepted through the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency).

Ford’s guilty plea March 30, was before the Eastern District of Tyler in front of Judge John D. Love with Richard Moore as the prosecuting attorney.

Bradshaw said this guilty plea means Ford could face up to 40 years in the Federal Penitentiary.

"Sam has been handled for cooking methamphetamines before," Bradshaw said. "He was on parole through Henderson County until 2020."

"I’m glad he pled guilty," Bradshaw said. "You can get away with it for so long, and we’ve only got to catch you once."

Bradshaw said Ford had previously manufactured drugs in Kaufman and Henderson counties.

"He said this was the first time he had manufactured methamphetamines in Van Zandt County," Bradshaw said.

Ford is currently being held in a Federal Detention facility.