A Dallas resident has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison for her role in methamphetamine trafficking within the Eastern District of Texas, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.
Samantha Mendoza, 35, admitted guilt to conspiracy charges related to distributing and possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute. On March 4, 2026, U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant III handed down a sentence of 120 months in federal custody.
Court documents show that federal authorities began investigating a drug trafficking organization based in Mexico that operated a narcotics distribution cell in North Texas during 2021. The investigation resulted in several seizures of illegal drugs—including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin—as well as firearms and significant amounts of cash.
On December 15, 2022, agents observed Mendoza delivering a weighted package to another individual. A subsequent search at her home led law enforcement officers to confiscate approximately 950 grams of methamphetamine, three firearms, various drug ledgers and conversion supplies for methamphetamine production, along with more than $85,000 in cash.
The prosecution was part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative created by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is described as “a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.” According to the release: “Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders.” The statement also notes: “In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation into Mendoza’s activities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wes Wynne prosecuted the case.
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