Cherokee County man convicted in meth-laced pills conspiracy, awaiting sentencing

TYLER, Texas (KETK) – A Cherokee County man pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday and is awaiting sentencing for counterfeit pill manufacturing and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine-laced pills.

Suspected human trafficking incident leads to meth, cocaine, heroin seizure in East Texas

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 45-year-old Robert Martin, of Alto, conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of a mixture containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

Authorities say Martin set up a rotary tablet pill press on his property in order to press out hundreds of thousands of counterfeit pills then distribute them throughout the U.S. According to information presented in court, he also recruited and supplied wholesale and mid-level distributors.

Back in July of 2023, federal and state law enforcement executed a serach warrant for Martin’s property. During the search, they found:

• five firearms

• five rotary pill presses

• 111 grams of meth

• more than 7,600 grams of meth in powder form

• more than 29,000 meth-laced pills

According to Cherokee County Sheriff Brent Dickson, Martin’s arrest was made after a two-month-long investigation.

Woman arrested after dog abandoned near Lake Tyler

“This action was the result of an ongoing investigation into an illicit pill manufacturing operation near Alto,” officials said. “This was a huge win for our community by removing these items and this individual from the streets of Cherokee County.”

“What they forget is that we have the best law enforcement in this part of the country working and Cherokee County is not going to be a safe haven for a drug dealer,” Dickson said.

During sentencing Martin faces anywhere from 10 years in federal prison to life, but a sentencing date has not been set at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.