Bryan County Resident Pleads Guilty To Federal Drug Charge

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Michael Paul Puentes, age 50, of Durant, Oklahoma, entered a guilty plea to one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, punishable by up to 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.

The Indictment alleged that on July 4, 2023, Puentes knowingly and intentionally possessed 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance, intending to distribute it.

The charge arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Durant Police Department.

The Honorable Jason A. Robertson, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.

A U.S. District Court Judge will determine the sentence to be imposed after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Puentes will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending sentencing.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard J. Lorenz represented the United States.