A Texas man who reportedly possessed more than 270 grams of methamphetamine last April was sentenced to more than six years in prison Thursday in Freeborn County District Court.

Sergio Mendez, 28, was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to first-degree meth possession in January. He was given credit for 297 days served and will serve his sentence at a Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud.

Court documents state Mendez was charged after an officer was dispatched April 11 to Motel 6 in Albert Lea on reports of a possible stolen vehicle. The vehicle Mendez was found with reportedly matched the stolen vehicle.

Mendez reportedly said the vehicle was his and he purchased it, but the officer did not receive any indication that the ownership of the vehicle was transferred to Mendez.

Court documents state items were seized, and a search of Mendez reportedly found $3,550 wrapped in plastic and stuffed in his sock.

Prior to Mendez entering Freeborn County jail, an opened cigarette pack with a small packing paper was reportedly found in his possession.

Court documents state several baggies containing 271 grams of meth were found.

After sentencing, Freeborn County Attorney David Walker said “it is an appropriately severe sentence and properly credits his acknowledgement of responsibility by pleading guilty.”

The charge carried a minimum sentence of nearly 5 1/2 years in prison with a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.