Texas Tech professor charged in federal fentanyl conspiracy case

A Texas Tech University assistant professor and two accomplices have been federally charged for allegedly conspiring to distribute fentanyl, a substance that investigators claim has contributed to the ongoing drug issue in Lubbock.

Daniel Taylor, 50, an assistant professor of marketing and supply chain management at Texas Tech Rawls College of Business, is facing charges of conspiracy to distribute or possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. On February 18, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas announced the charges.

Authorities have filed charges against Lubbock residents Alisha Red-Eagle, 21, and Mackenzie Gilcrease, 28.

Federal authorities have charged Taylor with the sale of fentanyl powder known as “Pink Flamingo” and “Ghost.” The criminal complaint reveals that authorities monitored Taylor for several months.

On January 12, law enforcement observed Red-Eagle entering and exiting Taylor's vehicle at a convenience store prior to getting into a white SUV. A Lubbock County sheriff conducted a traffic stop on an SUV, where they discovered a man in the back seat who was likely experiencing a fentanyl overdose. A lawsuit has been filed indicating that deputies discovered fentanyl tablets, a transparent baggie, and narcotics paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Raybould stated that the defendant, as alleged, was not focused on educating students about supply chain management but was instead involved in creating and executing a supply chain of lethal fentanyl in the streets of Lubbock. Claims indicate that the defendant's narcotics trafficking enterprise supplied fentanyl that resulted in an overdose.

According to investigators, Gilcrease encountered Taylor at his residence on February 17. During a traffic stop, deputies discovered three pink plastic baggies containing fentanyl and one baggie with methamphetamine in the vehicle belonging to Gilcrease.

Federal agents discovered a significant quantity of narcotics and related paraphernalia during a search of Taylor's residence.

All three suspects have been placed in federal detention following their initial appearance before a magistrate's court in Lubbock. If found guilty, each individual could face a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison.

Law enforcement agencies collaborated with the Texas Anti-Gang Center and the Caprock High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force during the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Rancourt is leading the prosecution.

Until proven guilty, criminal complaints accuse individuals of wrongdoing.

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