A 34-year-old McAllen man, Michael Luera, has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Authorities began investigating Luera’s drug sales in the Rio Grande Valley area. On December 12, 2024, after selling about 252 grams of methamphetamine, Luera was stopped for a traffic violation. A K-9 unit alerted officers to narcotics in his vehicle, where they found an additional 1,000 grams of methamphetamine, multiple bags of U.S. currency, and a loaded firearm.

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for August 14. Luera faces up to life in federal prison and a possible $10 million fine. He remains in custody pending sentencing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Texas Department of Public Safety led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cahal P. McColgan is prosecuting the case.