A Houston man will spend 15 years in state prison after Celina Police linked him to narcotics distribution along South Preston Road, one of the city's primary commercial corridors.
Dalton Campbell, 32, pleaded guilty the week of Aug. 4 to manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 2, a first-degree felony that carries five to 99 years or life in prison. A Collin County judge sentenced him to 15 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, according to a City of Celina announcement posted Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The case began May 29, 2025, when Celina Police responded to a multi-vehicle crash in the 100 block of South Preston Road. Officers determined Campbell had been driving recklessly and caused the wreck.
Before officers reached him, Celina Fire Department paramedics saw Campbell toss items into a nearby grassy area. Officers searched the spot and recovered methamphetamine, MDMA, prescription narcotics and drug paraphernalia.
Campbell was arrested and charged with five counts: the first-degree manufacturing and delivery charge; tampering with physical evidence, a third-degree felony; possession of a controlled substance in Penalty Group 1, a state jail felony; and two Class A misdemeanors for possession of a Penalty Group 3 controlled substance and possession of a dangerous drug.
After the arrest, Celina Police detectives obtained search warrants for Campbell's cell phones. The warrants turned up evidence that Campbell was actively distributing drugs in the Celina community, the city said.
The Collin County District Attorney's Office prosecuted the case.
"This sentence reflects the dedication of our officers and detectives who worked diligently to investigate this case and remove dangerous narcotics from our community," Celina Police Chief John Cullison said in the announcement. The department thanked the Collin County DA's office for its partnership in the prosecution.
