Liberty County man sentenced to 9 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine

BEAUMONT, Texas - A Liberty man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

Claude Gilbert, 64, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on February 12, 2026.

According to information presented in court, after conducting an investigation, agents executed a search warrant at Gilbert's home in September 2024 and found a safe in his bedroom containing 51 grams of actual methamphetamine, a digital scale, plastic baggies, three firearms, and ammunition.

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

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Liberty County Sheriff's Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Jackson.

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