Two California men were sentenced Tuesday to years in prison for their roles bringing methamphetamine to Northwest Arkansas, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney Conner Eldridge.
Elijah Buckhalter, 23, of Compton, Calif., was sentenced to two years in prison followed by two years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Alberto Gonzalez, 33, of Lynwood, Calif., was recieved two concurrent sentences of 11 years and eight months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine more than 500 grams, according to the news release.
The men's arrests came as a result of an investigation into drug trafficking from Compton to Springdale. Gonzalez was identified as a supplier, according to the news release. A delivery of four pounds of meth was arranged.
Gonzalez, Buckhalter and a third man, Jonathan Madrigal, were arrested in Springdale.
Investigators seized four pounds of a substance that tested as 97 percent pure methamphetamine, according to the news release.
Madrigal, 26, of Compton, Calif., has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and will be sentenced later.
“The dream that these drug traffickers envisioned of bringing large quantities of methamphetamine into our state and setting up shop came to an end today," Eldridge said. "Arkansas children and families deserve a safe place to live without the threat of crime and violence that this type of criminal activity brings."