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Several news outlets are reporting that former Navy Commanding Officer Lance Esswein has been sentenced to 19 years in federal prison after being convicted of intent to distribute meth and drug trafficking-related crimes.<\/p>\n

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Former Navy commander headed to federal prison<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas \u2013 A 58-year-old Portland man has been sentenced to 19 years in federal prison following his conviction of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute meth and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.<\/p>\n

Lance Esswein previously served as the commanding officer of the U.S. Navy Minesweeper U.S.S. Ardent. He was also the risk assessment manager for Nueces County and worked as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.<\/p>\n

He pleaded guilty Jan. 30, 2020.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Then…<\/p>\n

Esswein had sold more than 100 grams of meth, after which authorities executed a search warrant at his Portland residence. There, they discovered additional meth and numerous firearms staged around the residence. He also had loaded assault rifles positioned just inside the front door.<\/p>\n

The investigation revealed significant additional quantities of meth, other narcotics and firearms at storage units and vehicles Esswein controlled. They found a total of 36 weapons, including stolen firearms and firearms with missing serial numbers.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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