A Leesburg, Texas man has been sentenced to over 19 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms violations. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
Nathan Paul Hart, aged 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On November 14, 2024, Hart received a sentence of 170 months for the drug offense and an additional 60 months for the firearms violation. U.S. District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III ordered that these sentences be served consecutively, resulting in a total of 230 months in federal prison. Additionally, Hart was ordered to forfeit $250,000.
Court information revealed that between August 2019 and August 2021, Hart conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in East Texas. The offense involved more than 1.5 kilograms of actual methamphetamine. On November 30, 2020, during a traffic stop involving Hart and a co-defendant, law enforcement discovered approximately two kilograms of methamphetamine and a pistol. Hart also admitted to sending over $22,000 in cash to California through mail to purchase drugs.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Criminal Investigations division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Jackson prosecuted the case.