Three individuals have pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to a drug trafficking conspiracy, according to an announcement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
John Lamar Clayton, 46, and Brian Lee Steele, 45, both of Fort Coffee, Oklahoma, along with Brandon Leal Castro, 34, of Mexico, each entered guilty pleas to one count of drug conspiracy. Clayton entered his plea on July 16, 2025. Steele and Castro pleaded guilty on July 24, 2025.
The indictment alleged that between October 2024 and November 14, 2024, Clayton, Steele, Castro and others conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine. The offense carries a potential penalty of ten years to life in prison and a fine up to $50 million.
Multiple agencies participated in the investigation leading to these charges. These included the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, District 16 Drug and Violent Crime Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Edward Snow accepted the pleas from each defendant and ordered presentence investigation reports. Sentencing will be determined by a U.S. District Court Judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The defendants remain in custody with the United States Marshals Service until sentencing.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan Howanitz represented the government in this case.
