An Athens man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas. Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs announced that James Kiser, 40, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and received a 70-month sentence from U.S. District Judge J. Campbell Barker on July 10, 2025.
Court records indicate that on October 19, 2023, Kiser was arrested after selling approximately 34 grams of methamphetamine for $500 cash. The investigation further revealed that Kiser has a history of 27 prior convictions for criminal offenses in Henderson and Smith counties.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble.
