Arlington woman sentenced to over a decade in prison for involvement in methamphetamine smuggling operation

Arlington, Texas – An Arlington woman has been sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for her involvement in a conspiracy to import and traffic methamphetamine into the United States. The sentencing took place in Del Rio where the court heard details of the scheme.

Discovery of Methamphetamine at Border Inspection

According to court documents, 46-year-old Linnette Rodriguez-Potter conspired with others to bring 3.422 kilograms of methamphetamine, with a purity of 100%, into the country. On July 25, 2020, Rodriguez-Potter was referred to a secondary inspection at the Del Rio Port of Entry. Customs and Border Protection Officers conducted a search and discovered seven packages containing methamphetamine hydrochloride.

Subsequent investigations revealed text communications between Rodriguez-Potter and her co-conspirator, Sally Renae Smith. The messages instructed Rodriguez-Potter to deliver the illegal packages to Smith at a motel in Del Rio. From there, the group planned to distribute the methamphetamine to other locations in Texas.

Sentencing of Co-Conspirators

The case involved four defendants, all of whom pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge. Smith received a 292-month prison sentence in February 2024. Joshua Keith Stewart was sentenced to 235 months in October 2024. Another co-conspirator, Stetson Lee Spearman, remains in federal custody, awaiting his sentencing hearing scheduled for March 12, 2025.

A Collaborative Effort to Combat Drug Trafficking

The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas, Jaime Esparza, announced the sentencing, crediting the successful investigation to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorney Rex Beasley is prosecuting the case, ensuring that all individuals involved in the conspiracy face justice.