Pittsburg man indicted on meth charges

A Pittsburg man is facing charges of distribution of narcotics.

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas indicted Melvin Anthony Smith, 54, and four others for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. According to the indictment, which was filed May 16 and unsealed July 5, Smith, Stinson Lesley, Wesley Haley, Norman Spruiell and Laura Pace allegedly distributed at least 50 grams of methamphetamine.

Smith’s arrest warrant remained sealed as of Monday.

His arraignment on the charge was held July 5 before Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven in the federal courthouse in Texarkana. According to the arraignment, Smith pleaded not guilty and was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. He was later booked into the Titus County Jail where he remains in custody.

A trial date has been set for August 27 before District Judge Robert W. Schroeder III in the Texarkana federal court. He could face 10 years to life in prison.