EL DORADO – An El Dorado, Arkansas man was sentenced on September 28, 2026, to 210 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possessing with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine—his second drug trafficking conviction. The Honorable Judge Susan O. Hickey presided over the sentencing hearing in the United States District Court, at El Dorado.

According to court records, on October 21, 2024, Lucas Wyatt Smith, age 34, was the sole passenger in a vehicle stopped by the El Dorado Police Department, for having expired tags. During the traffic stop, it was determined that Smith had an active search waiver on file. A K-9 handler for the 13th Judicial Drug Task Force arrived at the scene of the traffic stop and the K-9 alerted on the vehicle occupied by Smith. A search of Smith’s person revealed four small plastic baggies containing suspected methamphetamine. Based on the narcotics found on Smith’s person, a search was executed at Smith’s residence subject to a search warrant obtained by the 13th Judicial District Drug Task Force. The search of Smith’s residence by the 13th Judicial District Drug Task Force, resulted in Investigators locating 798 grams of pure methamphetamine, over 700 grams of marijuana, and over 30 firearms. Following Miranda warnings, Smith admitted to transporting large quantities of methamphetamine from Texas to Arkansas. Smith previously served an 180-month state prison sentence for possession of methamphetamine with purpose to deliver. (See Union County Circuit Court; Docket No: 70-2018-150).

United States Attorney Kevin R. Holmes made the announcement. The 13th Judicial District Drug Task Force, the El Dorado Police Department, and the ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Trent Daniels prosecuted the case for the United States.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the U.S. Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

Related court documents may be found on the Public Access to Electronic Records website at www.pacer.gov.