Eric Matlock, a 42-year-old resident of Fordyce, Arkansas, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. The announcement was made by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The sentence was delivered by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
Matlock was indicted on October 9, 2024, by a federal grand jury on two counts related to drug distribution. He pleaded guilty to both counts on August 8, 2025. In addition to the prison term, Judge Moody ordered five years of supervised release following his incarceration. Federal sentencing guidelines do not allow for parole.
The case began in February 2024 when the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division launched an investigation in Fordyce due to increased narcotics activity in the area. Law enforcement identified Matlock as a potential dealer through surveillance and confidential sources. Controlled purchases of narcotics were arranged using these methods, with deputies employing aerial surveillance technology during their operations.
On June 30, 2024, officers executed a search warrant at Matlock’s residence. During the search, they discovered a buried footlocker near the carport containing several plastic bags filled with large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine, $3,841 in cash, and digital scales. Laboratory analysis confirmed that the substances included approximately 1.6 pounds of methamphetamine and 1.2 pounds of cocaine.
Matlock’s criminal record includes previous convictions for conspiracy to deliver cocaine at the state level as well as two convictions for possession of crack cocaine. He also has convictions for possession of firearms by certain persons; possession of paraphernalia used in manufacturing methamphetamine or cocaine; and maintaining a drug premises.
According to authorities: “This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.” The statement continues: “The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad.” The initiative places particular emphasis on crimes involving children and uses all available tools to prosecute violent offenders.
The HSTF Little Rock group includes agents from both the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office and FBI; prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Reese Lancaster.
The investigation was conducted jointly by local law enforcement agencies with assistance from federal authorities.
