BEAUMONT, Texas -A Port Arthur man has been sentenced to federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine in the Eastern District of Texas, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs.

James Frank Collins, 45, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 175 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on October 29, 2025.

According to information presented in court, in July of 2023, law enforcement began an investigation into the drug trafficking activities of Collins. The investigation included drug purchases from Collins and the execution of a search warrant at his residence which resulted in the seizure of various narcotics. On November 2, 2023, Collins was stopped for several traffic violations. During the stop, officers detected the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and a search was conducted resulting in the discovery of a large amount of cash and approximately 800 pills containing methamphetamine.

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 (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Port Arthur Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell James.

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