Federal jury convicts Lubbock man of methamphetamine distribution and firearm offenses

LUBBOCK, Texas - U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould announced that a 36-year-old Lubbock man was convicted on Nov. 10 of drug and gun charges following a multi-agency search warrant at his residence in January.

Following a two-day trial presided over by U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix, a federal jury took less than two hours to convict Jarrod Charles Gauna on all three counts charged in a May indictment. The convictions included conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

"The defendant chose to distribute dangerous drugs and carry a firearm in furtherance of that criminal activity. A jury held him accountable, and he now faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in federal prison," said U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould. "Our office will never waver in its commitment to prosecuting those who profit by poisoning our communities, fueling addiction, and taking away the freedom and dignity of others. We will continue to use every lawful tool available to protect the public and deliver justice for the people of this district."

"Drug trafficking and its frequent companion, drug-related violence, place the safety of our communities at serious risk," said DEA Dallas Special Agent in Charge Joseph B. Tucker. "This guilty verdict ensures Mr. Gauna is held accountable for his criminal actions, taking dangerous drugs and ready-to-use firearms off our streets before they can cause further harm and has undoubtedly saved lives."

According to evidence presented at trial, Lubbock Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration narcotics agents became aware of Gauna's residence in west Lubbock after it was involved in two different drug controlled purchases. During the first purchase in October 2025, Gauna's codefendant, John Deleon, traveled to Gauna's residence just prior to meeting with a confidential informant and delivering several ounces of methamphetamine. Deleon followed the same pattern before delivering additional methamphetamine to an informant in November 2025. Deleon pled guilty to methamphetamine distribution charges in August.

On Jan. 15, narcotics agents executed a search warrant at Gauna's residence. Agents found approximately one-half ounce of methamphetamine along with several ounces of dimethyl sulfone, also known as MSM. The jury heard evidence that MSM is a substance that drug traffickers commonly use to "cut" methamphetamine to increase the quantity that can be sold. The jury also heard evidence that this same cutting agent was present in the methamphetamine that Deleon delivered to the informant during the controlled purchases.

Agents also found four firearms in Gauna's residence-three pistols and one over-under shotgun. All three pistols were loaded and readily accessible. One was located within inches of the drug evidence and the other two were in or near Gauna's bedroom. A DEA drug trafficking expert explained the violence inherent in methamphetamine trafficking and how firearms such as these are used to protect drug dealers from being robbed.

Gauna admitted to narcotics agents that the guns and drugs belonged to him. He also had several empty, unused baggies in his pocket. Witnesses testified that these baggies are commonly used to package methamphetamine for distribution.

Gauna now faces up to life in federal prison. Because Gauna has a previous conviction for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, he faces an enhanced minimum sentence of 25 years imprisonment following his second such conviction. Any sentence he receives for the drug charges must also run consecutively to the firearm charge. Gauna's sentencing is scheduled for March 4, 2027.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Lubbock Police Department led this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Long and Tyler Smotherman are prosecuting the case.