Texas man could be facing a life prison term in New Mexico

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A Texas man has pleaded guilty to violating federal drug trafficking and firearms laws in New Mexico and could be facing a life sentence in federal prison. Prosecutors say 25-year-old Michael Dwain Samples, of Monahans, entered a plea agreement Tuesday in a Las Cruces court. Samples pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He admitted that he and a co-defendant went to Carlsbad to buy about 469 grams of methamphetamine with the intent of selling the drug to other people. Prosecutors say Samples faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. He remains in federal custody pending a sentencing hearing which hasn't been scheduled.