Kaufman, Texas Man convicted of Drug Free Zone Offense Sentenced to 97 Months in Federal Prison

A Kaufman man who distributed methamphetamine near a drug free zone, Kaufman High School, was sentenced Monday to 97 months in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton.

Kenneth Russell Barr, Jr., 55, pleaded guilty in May to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.  The offense occurred within 1000 feet of the real property comprising Kaufman High School, a public secondary school. He was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay.

According to plea papers, law enforcement seized methamphetamine the defendant delivered during the weeks of May 2, and May 16, 2022.   As a result of these seizures officers executed a search warrant at Barr’s residence. During the search officers located approximately 353 grams of methamphetamine.  Multiple firearms were found at the residence as a result of the search (as seen in the Government’s Detention Hearing Exhibit below). As part of his guilty plea, Barr also admitted he was a convicted felon and that he knew he was not supposed to possess any firearms.  Barr further admitted the place he distributed methamphetamine from is within 1000 feet of Kaufman High School.

The Texas Department of Public Safety investigated the case with assistance from the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Department and the Kaufman Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney George Leal prosecuted the case.