Convicted Texas drug dealer used kids to package meth

CALDWELL, Texas (AP) – A 46-year-old East Central Texas man who authorities say used children as young as 5 years of age to package his methamphetamine supply has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for dealing the illegal drugs.

Burleson County prosecutors say Charles David Clark of Caldwell was convicted last week of a charge of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. Evidence at his trial show he used his own children and other kids to package the drugs.

The conviction carries a penalty of up to two years in a state jail but Clark’s extensive criminal record that already included multiple drug convictions elevated him to habitual offender status, allowing District Court Judge J.D. Langley to impose the stiffer sentence.

Caldwell is about 25 miles (40.23 kilometers) west of College Station.

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4/15/2018 9:05:31 AM (GMT -6:00)