(Mineral Wells, TX) – A Mineral Wells man will spend 35 years in prison for operating a methamphetamine drug ring.

According to the Mineral Wells Index, 56-year-old Steven Ken Howard entered guilty pleas on convictions of manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance 4-200 grams; manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance 1-4 grams; and for theft of a firearm.

Prosecutors say Howard became a target of law enforcement during undercover investigations dubbed “Street Sweep” when he was seen in videos during drug transactions involving other individuals.  Howard reportedly became the 14th person snared in the drug sting.