Southern District of Mississippi

Jackson, Miss. – L.C. Hatfield, Jr., 43, of Jackson, was sentenced Friday, by Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III, to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine base ("crack") and cocaine hydrochloride ("powder"), announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Hatfield pled guilty before Judge Jordan on August 1, 2018.

This case is the result of an extensive Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, dubbed "Rock Bottom," which began as an operation targeting illegal narcotics distribution in the central Mississippi area. During the investigation, agents found Hatfield was distributing large quantities of cocaine and crack to individuals in Jackson. Based on his role in the conspiracy, Hatfield was held responsible for as much as 3 kilograms of cocaine powder and 6 kilograms of crack.

The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Ridgeland Police Department, Jackson Police Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Brandon Police Department, Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Department of Corrections, Pearl Police Department, Flowood Police Department, Bureau of Customs and Border Patrol, and the DEA Houston Field Division. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wansley.

Gulfport, Mississippi. – Ricardo Arcanjo Ramos, 37, an illegal alien from Brazil, was sentenced today in United States District Court to serve 37 months in federal prison for committing access device fraud and aggravated identity theft, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans. Ramos was also ordered to pay $25,087.50 in restitution to the victim.

In July, 2017, Ramos and another illegal alien, through the use of skimmers and cameras placed on Automated Teller Machines at a credit union in Ocean Springs, obtained and used 15 or more account holders’ unauthorized access devices to obtain money and fund transfers at two banks and a resort in Florida.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.

Jackson, Miss. – After a four-day trial before U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves, a federal jury in Jackson found Willie Charles Blackmon, Jr., 36, of Jackson, guilty on Thursday of two counts of sex trafficking minors through force, fraud, maintaining and harboring the minors for commercial sex acts, and two counts of advertising and promoting prostitution, announced United States Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.

Beginning in July 2014 and continuing through March 2016, agents with the Jackson FBI, Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, FBI New Orleans Violent Crimes against Children Task Force, Clinton Police Department and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated Willie Charles Blackmon, Jr.’s prostitution ring. Blackmon purchased a runaway minor for $500 and recruited runaway minors for prostitution. Blackmon knew the minors would engage in commercial sex acts with men for money. Blackmon would rent rooms at local hotels in Jackson and Vicksburg for the minors for days at a time. Blackmon kept most, if not all, of the money earned by the minors from the sex acts. The evidence showed that Blackmon would physically harm the minors and threaten them by holding a gun to their heads if they did not perform or if they disrespected him. He also provided drugs to the minors.

"This criminal deserves the harshest punishment under the law for harming, threatening and drugging children to do unspeakable things for money. I commend our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, as well as our prosecutors and support staff, for bringing this monster to justice and rescuing these victims. I would ask the public to help us by continuing to be vigilant to these crimes that occur all around us and promptly reporting any suspicious activity to law enforcement," said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.

Judge Carlton Reeves will sentence Blackmon on March 4, 2019 at 9:00 am. He faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison, and fines of up to $1 million.

This case was investigated by the FBI Jackson Division’s Child Exploitation Task Force, with assistance from the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, FBI New Orleans Child Exploitation Task Force, Clinton Police Department and Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorneys Glenda R. Haynes and Keith French prosecuted the case. 

The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Jackson, Miss. – Trisha Lynne Ibarra, 24, and Arlene Viridiana Moya, 23, both of Texas, were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge William H. Barbour for their roles in a methamphetamine and heroin conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.

Ibarra was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 1 kilogram of heroin, and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine. Moya was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for her role in the conspiracy. Ibarra and Moya were also ordered to pay a $1,500.00 fine.

On January 22, 2018, a Rankin County Sheriff Deputy conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle driven by Moya. Ibarra was the registered owner of the vehicle and seated in the passenger seat. Ibarra and the driver gave conflicting statements to the officer for their reason for travel and their final destination. A consensual search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 4 kilograms of heroin and 16 kilograms of methamphetamine from the vehicle’s fuel tank.

The case was a joint investigation by the Rankin County Sherriff’s Office, and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE/HSI) Jackson office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wansley.

Jackson, Miss. – Kimberly Walker, 37, of Jackson, pled guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee to theft of U.S. mail by a postal employee, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Chris Cave, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Southern Area Field Office.

Walker was employed as a mail handler at the U.S. Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center in Jackson. On February 8, 2018, agents were notified of six rifled Nielsen Rating envelopes that were returned to Nielsen Ratings from the distribution center. Nielson Media Research mails letters and flat sized envelopes to households that participate in surveys in exchange for U.S. currency. On February 15, 2018, using mail pieces and currency provided by Nielsen Ratings, test pieces containing U.S. currency were placed in the prepping area to be processed by the Tour 3 mail handlers, including Walker. Using video surveillance, agents observed Walker open at least one of the test pieces and place something in her pocket. When confronted, Walker admitted she had been rifling Nielson Ratings mail pieces for approximately six months. Agents recovered all the currency from Walker’s wallet and pocket that had been taken from the test pieces.

Walker is currently released on bond and will be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee on February 28, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. She faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by agents from the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kimberly Purdie.

Jackson, Miss – Loucious Collins, 37, of Jackson, was sentenced Tuesday, by U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette III, to 15 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for being an armed career criminal in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Mississippi. Collins was also required to forfeit the firearm.

On June 8, 2017, the FBI assisted the Mississippi Alcohol Beverage Control in executing a search warrant a V Live Club in Jackson. During the search of the business, Collins, an employee of the club, was questioned by a Mississippi Alcohol Beverage Control officer and admitted to being in possession of a firearm and to being a convicted felon. Because Collins has four previous felony convictions for house burglary, one previous conviction for business burglary, and one previous conviction for possession of a deadly weapon while an inmate at the Delta Correctional Facility, he is classified as an Armed Career Criminal under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. On February 6, 2018, he was charged in a federal indictment with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm in violation of 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(1). He pled guilty on August 28, 2018.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Mississippi Alcohol Beverage Control investigated the case. It is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime in Jackson through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Jackson Expel Crime Together." PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Jackson, Miss. – Jeremy T. Walker, of Jackson, was sentenced today, before United States Senior District Judge William H. Barbour, Jr., to 97 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Dana Nichols, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. Walker was also ordered to pay a $1,500 fine.

Walker was previously found guilty following a two day jury trial that began on August 27, 2018, in Jackson.

On February 5, 2013, Deputy Marshals with the United States Marshals Service, Gulf Coast Regional Task Force, were attempting to execute an outstanding arrest warrant for sale of a controlled substance in Hinds County. Deputy Marshals located Walker at his mother’s residence hiding in the attic. While the deputies were apprehending Walker, a Rohm, Draco model, 7.62 x 39mm rifle was recovered from the top of the refrigerator. Walker admitted to purchasing the firearm. Walker has been previously convicted of a felony for possessing a controlled substance in 2010 in Hinds County.

This case investigated by the United States Marshals Service, Gulf Coast Regional Task Force ,the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department. AUSA Erin Chalk is prosecuting the case.

Gulfport, Miss. – Aaliyah Williamson, 24, of Bay St. Louis, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to serve 143 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine; and 120 months, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of a stolen firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Judge Ozerden ordered the sentences to run concurrently. Williamson was also ordered to pay a $7,500 fine.

On October 24, 2017, a Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Trooper observed a 2006 Chevrolet Impala on Interstate 10-East near mile marker 28 following another vehicle too closely. The trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the vehicle was slow to stop and veered to the right shoulder. The trooper pulled alongside the vehicle, where he observed the female passenger making furtive movements and it appeared she was attempting to conceal items in the front of her pants. The vehicle came to a stop near mile marker 29.

The trooper approached the vehicle and identified the driver as Jonathan Jarvis and the passenger as Aaliyah Williamson. Neither Jarvis nor Williamson possessed a valid Mississippi driver’s license. The trooper could smell the odor of marijuana being emitted from the vehicle. Jarvis and Williamson were asked to exit the vehicle. While exiting the vehicle, Jarvis told the trooper he possessed a weapon in the vehicle. The trooper orderedWilliamson to remove the items from her pants, which was revealed as approximately 247 grams of methamphetamine "ice." A search of the vehicle revealed 29.5 dosage units of Alprazolam, 14 dosage units of Acetaminophen/Oxycodone, approximately 89 grams of marijuana, approximately one ounce of promethazine syrup, digital scales, plastic baggies, two cell phones, and a stolen Smith andWesson pistol. Two and a half grams of methamphetamine was also found in Williamson’s purse.

Williamson pled guilty on May 11, 2018. Jarvis pled guilty on May 5, 2018 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On August 21, 2018, he was sentenced by Judge Ozerden to serve 220 months in federal prison.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.

Gulfport, Miss. – Clynn Partee, 46, of Pascagoula, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., to the federal crime of failure to register as a sex offender, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and U.S. Marshal George White.

Partee is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Guirola on February 21, 2019, in Gulfport. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison in addition to a $250,000 fine and a minimum of 5 years to life of supervised release.

In 2006, Partee had been convicted in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault. This sexual offense was perpetrated against a 12-year old female victim, and Partee was sentenced to eight years with the Illinois Department of Corrections. Partee was deemed a Tier III Sex Offender and has a lifetime registration requirement. After his conviction in Illinois, Partee acknowledged his continuing requirement to register as a sex offender. In or about June 2015, Partee was released from Illinois state custody.

Later in 2015, Partee moved from Illinois to Mississippi.  He did not register as required when he departed Illinois, and he did not register within the required time of his arrival in Mississippi. Partee was issued a Mississippi State Identification card in or about September 2015, with an address in Richton, Mississippi, and ultimately relocated to Pascagoula.

In September 2018, Pascagoula Police responded to a disturbance call at a hotel in Pascagoula and encountered Partee. While Partee was not arrested during that encounter, a National Criminal Information Center database check was conducted regarding him. It was brought to the attention of a sex offense investigator with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, that Partee was a convicted sex offender, and that he had been listed as a non-compliant sex offender in Illinois. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Investigator contacted the U.S. Marshals Service, which conducted further investigation.

The Marshals Service learned that Partee was not listed as a registered sex offender in the State of Mississippi, via the Mississippi Sex Offender Registry. The Marshals Service contacted the Mississippi Department of Public Safety concerning the Defendant’s current sex offender registration status. Mississippi authorities provided the Marshals Service with a letter certifying that Defendant Partee was not listed as a registered sex offender in Mississippi. The State of Mississippi also had not received a notification from the State of Illinois indicating the Defendant’s intent to relocate to Mississippi. It was conclusively determined that Partee had never registered as a sex offender in the State of Mississippi.

The Marshals Service investigation concluded that Partee’s current residence was at a Pascagoula hotel that also routinely houses a wide variety of people including children. Partee was arrested by local law enforcement officials as a non-compliant sex offender in September 2018. Subsequent to his federal indictment, Partee was arrested by the U.S. Marshal’s Service in October 2018.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Marshal’s Service, law enforcement officials in the State of Illinois, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the Jackson County, Mississippi, Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Pascagoula Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris.

Jackson, Miss – Gino Washington, 26, of Pearl, Mississippi, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves to 20 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  He was also required to forfeit the firearm and pay a $1,000 fine.   

On December 6, 2017, the Jackson Police Department made a traffic stop of a vehicle wherein Washington was a passenger.  Washington initially gave the officer a false name when a firearm was taken from his waistband during the traffic stop in Jackson.  The arresting officer determined he had been given a false name and Washington then admitted to his real identity when confronted about his deception.  Washington has a prior felony conviction for house burglary.

This case was investigated by the Jackson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime in Jackson through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Jackson Expel Crime Together." PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Gulfport, Miss – Cornelius Javon Massey, 20, of Pascagoula, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to 33 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegally possessing a firearm as an unlawful user of controlled substances, announced U. S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Massey was in a car with three others pulled over by the Pascagoula Police Department on March 31, 2018.  Once stopped and the windows down, the officer noticed a .223 caliber rifle with a large magazine laying in the rear floorboard.  The officer noticed a handgun in the glove compartment when the driver reached for proof of insurance.  A narcotics dog alerted for the presence of narcotics in the car.  A search yielded marijuana and a grinder, the rifle, a Glock pistol with 4 magazines, a Springfield Arms 9mm pistol with a loaded magazine, and 2 ski masks.  Massey admitted in an interview that he smoked marijuana regularly.  Under Federal law, unlawful users of controlled substances are prohibited from possessing firearms.

The Pascagoula Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.

Gulfport, Miss. – Dung Anh Nguyen, 35 of D’Iberville, was sentenced to a total of 75 months by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Dana Nichols.

After receiving a tip that drugs were being sold out of a D’Iberville home, Harrison County Coastal Narcotics Enforcement Team, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, served a search warrant on Nguyen’s home in March 2018.  Agents found approximately 2 kilos of marijuana along with several loaded firearms, large capacity magazines, ammunition and a ballistic vest.  Nguyen was previously convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in Texas and Harrison County courts. 

The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office Coastal Narcotics Enforcement Team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.

Hattiesburg, Miss. – Roderick Simpson, 44, of Hattiesburg, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to 121 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Simpson was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

On October 10, 2016, DEA agents utilized a confidential source to purchase 55.4 grams of methamphetamine from Simpson for $900. Simpson pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on June 6, 2018.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.

Hattiesburg, Miss. – John Foster, 42, of Hattiesburg, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to 200 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Foster was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

On September 19, 2016, DEA agents utilized a confidential source to purchase 27.8 grams of methamphetamine from Foster for $1,050. Foster pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on June 6, 2018.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.

Jackson, Miss. – Reginald Henderson, 26, of Jackson, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette III to serve a total of 150 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for armed carjacking and brandishing a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Christopher Freeze, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.

On February 5, 2017, Jackson Police officers responded to an armed carjacking that occurred on Grafton Street in Jackson, Mississippi. Upon arrival, the victim told officers that she had been carjacked at gunpoint of her 2016 Chevrolet Equinox while in the driveway of her home. JPD Officers identified the stolen vehicle in transit on I-55 South in Jackson with a male subject driving the vehicle. Officers pursued the vehicle until the driver wrecked near Terry Road and I-20 East in Jackson. Henderson was identified as the driver and placed under arrest. A .45 caliber handgun was located in the vehicle at the time Henderson was arrested. Henderson was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of arrest and is also a previously convicted felon.

"I applaud the men and women of the Jackson Police Department for responding so quickly to this carjacking and apprehending this violent criminal before he could harm someone else. I also commend the FBI for assisting in the investigation and our prosecutors for seeing that justice is done. This is another great example of Project EJECT making our citizens safer by taking violent criminals off our streets and delivering justice to victims," said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Mayberry.

This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime in Jackson through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Jackson

Expel Crime Together." PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Mississippi real estate investors Christopher Vaughan and Jon Gregg Goodhart Jr. pleaded guilty today for their roles in a conspiracy to rig bids at public real estate foreclosure auctions in Mississippi, the Department of Justice announced.

Including Vaughan and Goodhart, nine real estate investors have entered guilty pleas in this conspiracy. Separate felony charges were filed against Vaughan on November 9, 2018, and Goodhart on November 19, 2018, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. 

“The conspirators worked together to cheat the system and thereby increased the financial losses on these foreclosed homes,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. “The Justice Department will continue to work with our partners to hold violators of the antitrust laws accountable.”

“These types of crimes affect all Americans, because when individuals rig bids at auctions, it ultimately damages our economy and hurts individuals,” said Christopher Freeze, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi. “We want to send a clear message to those participating in this type of corruption: the FBI and Department of Justice will investigate and prosecute anyone betraying the trust of our country’s economic foundation.”

According to court documents, from at least as early as June 9, 2011, through at least as late as February 8, 2017, Vaughan conspired with others not to bid against one another for selected public real estate foreclosure auctions in the Southern District of Mississippi. Goodhart participated in the conspiracy from as early as August 20, 2009, through at least as late as December 11, 2014. Co-conspirators made and received payoffs in exchange for their agreement not to bid. 

A violation of the Sherman Act carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine for individuals. The maximum fine for a Sherman Act charge may be increased to twice the gain derived from the crime or twice the loss suffered by the victims of the crime if either amount is greater than the statutory maximum fine. 

The investigation is being conducted by Antitrust Division attorneys in the Washington Criminal II Section and the FBI’s Gulfport Resident Agency, with the assistance of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi. Anyone with information concerning bid rigging or fraud related to public real estate foreclosure auctions should contact Antitrust Division prosecutors in the Washington Criminal II Section at 202-598-4000, or visit https://www.justice.gov/atr/report-violations. 

Jackson, Miss. – Erika Shanta Kelly, 42, of Jackson, pled guilty yesterday before Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to laundering proceeds from drug trafficking, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.

On April 22, 2014, March 3, 2015, and September 4, 2015, Kelly used money obtained from drug trafficking to purchase and make payments on vehicles. The purchases and payments made were to conceal or disguise the nature, source, ownership and control of the drug trafficking money. On November 28, 2017, a federal grand jury indicted Kelly for conspiracy to money launder and using proceeds from drug trafficking to purchase vehicles for another person.

Kelly will be sentenced by Judge Jordan on March 8, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. She faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count, followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $500,000.

This case is the result of an extensive Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation, dubbed AOperation Pipeline,@ which began as an operation targeting illegal narcotics distribution in central Mississippi involving cocaine and marijuana. The distribution network encompasses the States of California, Texas and Mississippi.

The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Jackson Police Department, and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.

"With our law enforcement partners, we are actively looking into these acts of hate and intimidation. Let me be perfectly clear - there is absolutely no place in our state for these unacceptable symbols or tactics to intimidate others. If we find evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that a federal crime has occurred, these criminals will be swiftly prosecuted and held accountable. Let us all respond to these despicable acts by voting, working, raising our families, practicing our faith, and pursuing the American dream here in our great state without fear or trepidation and in harmony with our fellow citizens."

Hattiesburg, Miss. - Asa Jefferson Sanford, Jr., 61, of Sumrall, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to serve a total of 140 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of firearms and possessing a silencer which was not registered to Sanford in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Sanford was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

On July 20, 2015, law enforcement officers executed state search warrants on Sanford’s vehicle and home. During the search, state and federal agents seized numerous firearms and ammunition in Sanford’s possession, as well as an unregistered silencer. Sanford has six prior felony convictions.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.

Gulfport, Miss – William Russell Oswalt, 29, of Hattiesburg, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to a total of 96 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on firearm and drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Oswalt was sentenced to 60 months for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and 36 months for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. He was also ordered to pay $5,000 fine on each charge, for a total of $10,000.

On January 4, 2016, officers with the 12th Circuit Court Narcotics Enforcement Team made an undercover purchase of heroin from Oswalt. On January 17, 2017, officers executed an arrest warrant on Oswalt at a Hattiesburg hotel finding him in possession of marijuana, methamphetamine, digital scales, numerous pills and a loaded firearm. Working with the officers from the Narcotics Enforcement Team, DEA and ATF agents learned that Oswalt had been distributing heroin in the Hattiesburg area since 2013.

The 12th Circuit Court Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.

Hattiesburg, Miss – Brandon Easterling, 35, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett, to serve 264 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).  Easterling was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine. 

On June 24, 2014, DEA agents utilized an undercover agent to purchase 28.02 grams of methamphetamine from Easterling for $1,800. Easterling pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on August 9, 2018.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.

Gulfport, Miss. – Dale Ricardo Easterling, 43, of Moss Point, Mississippi, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to conspiring to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.

On July 13, 2018, a Louisiana State Trooper stopped a car driven by Easterling traveling east bound on Interstate 10. The trooper searched the car and found a hidden compartment with seven kilograms of cocaine. Easterling admitted that he was taking the cocaine back to Moss Point for further distribution. He also admitted that this was not his first trip back to Moss Point with cocaine.

On the same day, FBI Safe Streets Task Force agents executed a search warrant at Easterling’s home and found ammunition, over 500 grams of marijuana brownies, 1.5 kilograms of marijuana, 833 grams of Fentanyl, 5 grams of heroin, and 99 pills made to look like oxycodone, but actually containing fentanyl and acetaminophen, a dangerous and sometimes deadly combination.

Easterling will be sentenced on February 14, 2019, by Judge Guirola, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

The case was investigated by the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team, and the Louisiana State Police. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.

Jackson, Miss. – Valentino Gonzalez, 47, of Texas, a federal inmate in the United States Penitentiary in Yazoo City, Mississippi, was sentenced Friday, by Chief United States District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III, to 170 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for two counts of assault, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.

In 2005, Valentino Gonzalez was convicted and sentenced to more than 24 years in federal prison for conspiracy to murder. He was serving that sentence in the United States Penitentiary in Yazoo City, Mississippi, when in September 2017, Gonzalez attacked another prisoner with a long, metal shank stabbing him repeatedly. When a correctional officer attempted to intervene, Gonzalez stabbed the officer. Both victims sustained serious injuries.

U.S. Attorney Hurst commended the work of the Federal Bureau of Prisons in the investigation of this case.

Gulfport, Miss – Julio Chantello Williams, 35, of Biloxi, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to a total of 211 months in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release, announced U. S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Williams received the maximum of 120 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and 211 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The sentences will run concurrently. Williams was also ordered to pay fines totaling $8,000.

In August 2017, Gulfport Police foot patrol checked a parked car with loud music to find Williams with a handgun and marijuana in his lap. Three months later in November 2017, Williams was hit by a car while walking. Biloxi Police found a handgun on the windshield of the car and 16 grams of methamphetamine in Williams’s pocket. Later in November and December of 2017, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and Homeland Security Investigations made undercover buys of methamphetamine from Williams.

Williams has prior state convictions for auto burglary, possession of controlled substances and 2 counts of transfer of controlled substances.

The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, Homeland Security Investigations, Gulfport Police, Biloxi Police and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.

Gulfport, Miss. – Jason Cooper, 32, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden, to serve 223 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles with Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans. Cooper was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine.

On March 26, 2018, a U.S. Border Patrol agent attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Interstate 10 in D’Iberville on a vehicle driven by Cooper. Cooper failed to stop and began throwing what was later determined to be methamphetamine from the driver’s side window. Cooper exited the interstate in Ocean Springs where law enforcement lost sight of the vehicle. Agents canvassed the area and located the vehicle, which was still occupied by Cooper and his codefendant, Jesus Ernesto Rodriguez. Inside the car, agents located 78.2 grams of methamphetamine.

Cooper pled guilty on August 13, 2018. His co-defendant, Rodriguez, pled guilty on October 15, 2018 and will be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on January 17, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Rodriguez faces a maximum of 40 years in federal prison.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.

Jackson, Miss. – Darrell D. Moore, 22, of Clinton, pled guilty yesterday before Senior U.S. District Judge William H. Barbour, Jr. to carjacking and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a violent crime, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

"Those who commit violent crime in our Capitol City and terrorize our citizens will face the full force of federal law enforcement. I commend the Jackson Police Department and the FBI for snatching this criminal off our streets and our prosecutors for getting him detained. Through their actions, others were prevented from becoming victims at the hands of this individual. Under Project EJECT, we are making our citizens safer and the City of Jackson more secure," said U.S. Attorney Hurst.

On November 7, 2017, while Moore was on bond for murder in Hinds County, he, Alexus Guster, and Cedric Winfield agreed to rob and carjack a victim at gunpoint. At the instruction of Moore and Winfield, Guster lured the victim to a location where Winfield and Moore were waiting to carjack and rob him. Guster and Winfield spoke to the victim while standing at the passenger side of the vehicle. While the victim was distracted, Moore approached the driver’s side of the vehicle, pulled the victim out of the car at gunpoint, and forced him to give up his money and the vehicle. The victim then fled the scene on foot and Moore fired his gun twice in the direction of the victim. Winfield drove the car to his residence where Moore and Guster met him to search the car for valuables.

Moore faces a maximum penalty of twenty-five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his role in the carjacking and brandishing a firearm. His sentencing date will be determined by the Court. Guster and Winfield previously pled guilty to carjacking and are awaiting sentencing.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mary Helen Wall and Kimberly Taft Purdie.

Jackson, Miss. – Ance Payton, 42, of Jackson, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Tom S. Lee to 79 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for possessing several illegal drugs with the intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

In 2017, the Jackson Police Department received several complaints from Crime Stoppers and concerned citizens about a home on Plantation Boulevard in Jackson. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at the home and found hundreds of grams of marijuana, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and hydrocodone pills. They also found a digital scale and other evidence of drug-distribution activities. Payton was indicted on May 15, 2018, and pled guilty on July 19, 2018.

This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime in Jackson through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Jackson Expel Crime Together." PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Hurst commended the work of the Jackson Police Department and their cooperation with ATF agents and Project EJECT task force members in the investigation of this case.

Jackson, Miss. – Justin A. Sterling, 23, of Jackson, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Dana Nichols, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

On May 1, 2018, officers with the Clinton Police Department stopped a vehicle in which Sterling was a passenger for a traffic violation. Two firearms were found in the vehicle. Sterling, who had a prior felony of robbery, pleaded guilty to possessing the firearms.

Sterling will be sentenced on February 7, 2019 at 9:30 a.m., and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Hurst commended the work of the Clinton Police Department and their cooperation with ATF agents and Project EJECT task force members. AUSA Erin Chalk is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime in Jackson through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Jackson Expel Crime Together." PSN is program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Jackson, Miss. – Joe Jones, Jr., 24, of Georgia, was sentenced today by United States District Judge Tom S. Lee to 27 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release for transporting illegal aliens across the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.

In June of 2018, Jones was being paid to drive a minivan full of illegal aliens from Louisiana to Georgia. On his way through Mississippi, a Mississippi Highway Patrol Officer stopped the van and found 10 illegal aliens inside, four of whom were deported from the United States during the past few years.

U.S. Attorney Hurst commended the work of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Mississippi Highway Patrol in their investigation of this case.

Gulfport, Miss – Angel Valdez Deras, age 33, of Terrytown, Louisiana, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to 60 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for attempting to purchase 5 kilograms of cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Derryle Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Valdez Deras pled guilty on July 30, 2018 to one count of attempting to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. Valdez Deras and his co-defendant had previously paid $50,000 to government agents acting as sellers and were en route to pay the remaining money for the purchase of five kilograms of cocaine when they were arrested by law enforcement officers on February 9, 2018.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.

Gulfport, Miss – Michael Todd Ward, 52, of Moss Point, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. to 151 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Christopher Freeze, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Derryle Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

In 2016, Ward supplied co-defendants living in an area known as “the Hill” in Vancleave, Mississippi with more than 5 kilograms of methamphetamine and a half a kilogram of cocaine.  He pled guilty on January 26, 2018 to an indictment that named him as a co-conspirator.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie.

Jackson, Miss. – Marquavius Dewante Morrow, 25, of Holly Springs, was sentenced Friday by Chief United States District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III, to fifty-four months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for carjacking, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Morrow, also known as "Peanut," was also ordered to pay a $1,500 fine.

On November 8, 2017, Morrow and Gathern McClain carjacked a victim at knifepoint near the Regions Bank ATM located at 947 North State Street in Jackson. The victim later identified Morrow in a photo lineup. Each of the defendants confessed to their involvement in the carjacking. McClain was sentenced in July to eighty-four months imprisonment for his involvement in the crime.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Jackson Police Department. It is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime in Jackson through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Jackson Expel Crime Together." PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Jackson, Miss - Julian Miller, 51, of Jackson, pled guilty today before United States District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Dana Nichols, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

On November 22, 2017, the Jackson Police Department executed a search warrant at a home in Jackson, Mississippi. While inside, law enforcement discovered that Julian Miller, a convicted felon, had a firearm in his possession. Miller has several previous felony convictions, including convictions for armed robbery and for sales of crack cocaine near schools.

Miller will be sentenced by Judge Jordan on February 8, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Jackson Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristi H. Johnson.

This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime in Jackson through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Jackson Expel Crime Together." PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Gulfport, Miss. – Today, a federal jury in Gulfport found Frederick Arayatanon, 35, of Westminister, California, guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, following a three-day trial before U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr., announced United States Attorney Mike Hurst and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

"I applaud the outstanding work of these prosecutors, agents and officers, as another major drug dealer and network have been taken down and dismantled, and countless lives have been saved. While meth continues to be a scourge in Mississippi that is killing our communities, this office and our law enforcement partners will not rest as we continue the fight against this deadly epidemic sweeping our country," said U.S. Attorney Hurst.

During the course of a drug investigation that began in 2017, DEA agents discovered that Arayatanon was shipping large quantities of methamphetamine from California to Tuyen Ngoc Le in Biloxi, Mississippi. Once Le received the methamphetamine shipments, she would give them to Demetrius Mason for distribution in the Ocean Springs area.

Le pled guilty on October 16, 2018 for her role in the drug conspiracy and will be sentenced on January 15, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Mason pled guilty for his role and was sentenced by Judge Guirola on May 31, 2018 to 292 months in federal prison.

Arayatanon will be sentenced on January 31, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. by Judge Guirola, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole and Assistant United States Attorney Kathlyn Van Buskirk.

Gulfport, Miss. – Gregory A. Mclin, age 45, of Huntsville, Alabama, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., to serve 97 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for possession of child pornography, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles with U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New Orleans. Mclin was also ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $10,000, and an additional assessment of $5,000 under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015.

An investigation conducted in May 2016 by HSI, along with the Wiggins Police Department and the Gulf Coast Cyber Crime Task Force, resulted in the identification of an internet protocol address belonging to Mclin and his use of a computer file-sharing program. In November 2016, a federal search warrant was executed at Mclin’s then-Gulfport, Mississippi, residence. His electronic devices were seized and forensic examinations were conducted. The examination reports, as well as the submissions of the visual depictions found and submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, resulted in a finding that Mclin knowingly possessed visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, to include visual depictions of a minor who had not attained 12 years of age.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Gulf Coast Cyber Crime Task Force, and the Wiggins Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Jones.

United States Attorneys Mike Hurst of the Southern District of Mississippi and William C. Lamar of the Northern District of Mississippi announced today that they have appointed District Election Officers ("DEO") in their respective Districts to be responsible for overseeing the handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in Mississippi in consultation with U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wansley in the Southern District of Mississippi and Assistant United States Attorney Robert Coleman in the Northern District of Mississippi will lead the efforts of the United States Attorneys’ Offices in Mississippi in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 6, 2018, general election.

"Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, and ensuring free and fair elections is one of the most important responsibilities we have as U.S. Attorneys. If anyone has specific information about election fraud or discrimination, please contact our offices, the FBI, or the Civil Rights Division. We stand ready to act promptly and aggressively to protect voter rights and the integrity of the election process," said U.S. Attorney Hurst.

U.S. Attorney Lamar said, "The fairness of the election process hinges on our citizens’ ability to fully and fairly exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear, resistance or undue outside influence. We will work diligently to insure that the right of our citizens to vote and to participate in the electoral process will not be impeded."

The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring election fraud and discrimination at the polls, and combating these violations whenever and wherever they occur. The Department’s long-standing Election Day Program furthers these goals, and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the election process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible election fraud and voting rights violations while the polls are open on Election Day.

Federal law protects against such crimes as intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from acts that intimidate or harass them. For example, actions of persons designed to interrupt or intimidate voters at polling places by questioning or challenging them, or by photographing or videotaping them, under the pretext that these are actions to uncover illegal voting may violate federal voting rights law. Further,

federal law protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or illiteracy).

In order to respond to complaints of election fraud or voting rights abuses on November 6, 2018, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Chris Wansley and AUSA/DEO Robert Coleman will be on duty in their respective Districts while the polls are open. Wansley can be reached at 601-973-2883 and Coleman can be contacted at 662-238-7676.

In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 601-948-5000.

Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division’s Voting Section in Washington, DC by phone at 1-800-253-3931 or (202) 307-2767, by fax at (202) 307-3961, by email to voting.section@usdoj.gov or by complaint form at http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php

Gulfport, Miss. – Kevin LaMarcus Mitchell, 20, of Moss Point, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr., to 21 months in prison, followed by 3 years of post-release supervision, after having pled guilty to illegally possessing a firearm as an unlawful user of controlled substances, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Dana Nichols. Mitchell was also ordered to pay a $5,500 fine.

On April 6, 2018, Mitchell went to the Pascagoula Police Department with his twin brother Tevin Mitchell and Joseph Smith to retrieve firearms seized by the police on March 31, 2018. During that visit, Pascagoula Police officers and agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrested Tevin Mitchell and Smith for being unlawful users of controlled substances with guns from the prior incident. While doing an inventory search of Smith’s car, police found a gun stolen from St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, under Kevin Mitchell’s seat. Mitchell admitted in an interview that he smoked marijuana regularly. Mitchell admitted to a friend in a recorded call that he brought the gun to the police station.

Pascagoula Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.

Jackson, Miss. – Arthur Lamar Adams, 58, of Jackson Mississippi, was sentenced today to 235 months in federal prison for wire fraud involving a large, multi-state Ponzi scheme involving more than one hundred million dollars and hundreds of victims spanning a number of years, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze.

United States District Judge Carlton Reeves sentenced Adams to serve nineteen and a half years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, on a charge of wire fraud involving a scheme and artifice to defraud investors in connection with a Ponzi scheme using Madison Timber Properties, LLC, a company wholly owned by Adams. Judge Reeves ordered full restitution to be paid to the victims of the scheme. During the last year of the scheme, Adams fraudulently obtained in excess of $164.5 million dollars from more than 320 investors located in at least 14 different states.

"Justice was served today, but does not end today. While this fraudster will now spend almost the rest of his entire life behind bars, we will not rest until restitution is recovered and victims are restored. My heart goes out to those who lost their retirement, their life savings, their life lines to this greedy, selfish man. Rest assured that we will continue to work with our federal, state and local partners to root out fraud in the future and bring these criminals to justice," said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.

Over a period of at least 7 years, Adams executed this sophisticated Ponzi scheme using Madison Timber Properties, LLC, a company wholly owned by Adams. From as early as 2011 through April 2018, Adams’s scheme defrauded investors by soliciting millions of dollars of funds under false pretenses, failing to use the investors’ funds as promised, and converting investors’ funds to Adams’s own benefit without the knowledge of the investors. Instead of investing his clients’ money, Adams used the invested funds for his own personal benefit and for purposes other than those represented to investors, which also included making payments due and owing to other investors, thus perpetuating the Ponzi scheme. During the fraudulent scheme, Adams fraudulently obtained well in excess of one hundred million dollars from more than 250 investors located in at least 14 different states.

As part of his fraudulent scheme, Adams falsely represented to investors that Madison Timber Properties was in the business of buying timber rights from landowners and then selling the timber rights to lumber mills at a higher price. The object of the scheme was to cause

individuals to invest in loans that purportedly were for the purpose of financing contracts for the purchase of timber rights to be sold to lumber mills at a higher price. However, neither Adams nor Madison Timber Properties had such timber rights or contracts with lumber mills, except in only a few instances.

Adams entered into fraudulent investment contracts with investors, most often in the form of promissory notes on behalf of Madison Timber Properties. The loans typically guaranteed investors an interest rate of 12-13%, with the interest to be repaid to investors over the course of 12-13 months. The monthly payments due on these promissory notes were typically due on either the first or the fifteenth of the month.

Adams created false documents causing investors to believe that their investments were secured by sufficient collateral from which they could recover all or part of their investment in the event that Madison Timber Properties defaulted on the loans. Specifically, Adams created false timber deeds purporting to be contracts conveying timber rights from landowners to Madison Timber Properties. Adams forged the signatures of landowners and also created false timber deeds purporting to convey timber rights from Madison Timber Properties to the investors.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dave Fulcher.

Jackson, Miss. – Undrey L. Jones, 48, Jackson, pled guilty today before United States District Judge Carlton W. Reeves to threatening to bomb the Veterans Administration Regional Office in Jackson, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge, James Ross, Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, South Central Field Division.

Jones was charged in a one-count federal indictment on May 2, 2018. A superseding indictment was filed on June 12, 2018.

On February 27, 2018, Jones called the Veterans Benefits Administration Call Center, located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jones identified himself by name and angrily demanded to talk to the Director of the Veterans Administration Medical Center and Regional Office in Jackson, Mississippi. Jones became increasingly agitated during the call, and stated that he would "come up there and blow the building up," referring to the Veterans Administration Regional Office in Jackson. Jones used several expletives during this call. Jones was arrested on February 28, 2018.

Jones is set for sentencing on January 22, 2019 at 10:00am and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

"These charges underscore the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s commitment to the safety of the Veteran Affairs’ patient population, as well as its employees, guests, and facilities," said Special Agent in Charge James Ross

The case were investigated by the Veterans Administration Office of Inspector General, Federal Bureau of Investigation Joint Terrorism Task Force, Mississippi Homeland Security, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Madison Police Department, Madison County Sheriff’s Department, and the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department. AUSA Erin Chalk is prosecuting the case.

Jackson, Miss – Chief United States District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III today ordered convicted felon, Dr. Carl Reddix, 60, of Jackson, to forfeit bank accounts, brokerage accounts, and land to satisfy a judgment of $1,266,438.00 in illegal proceeds he derived from paying bribes and kickbacks to former Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner (MDOC) Christopher B. Epps, announced United States Attorney Mike Hurst and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze.

"Dr. Reddix discovered today that the arm of justice is long and unrelenting. Today’s order should serve as a warning to others who may think a life of crime is profitable and that you can hide your assets. It is not profitable and you cannot hide. We will find you, you will be prosecuted, and your illegal money will be taken from you in order to make victims whole," said U.S. Attorney Hurst

Reddix was sentenced on December 15, 2017, to serve 72 months in federal prison followed by 2 years of supervised release. He was also fined $15,000 and ordered to forfeit $1,266,438.00. Efforts of the Department of Justice to seek assets to satisfy this Judgment led to Judge Jordan’s order.

Reddix was a part owner of an inmate health care services provider known as Health Assurance, LLC. Reddix began paying bribes and kickbacks to Epps in 2012 to obtain contracts for Health Assurance to provide inmate health care services at East Mississippi Correctional Facility and Marshall County Correctional Facility. In 2013, Health Assurance obtained an additional contract to provide inmate health care services at Wilkinson County Correctional Facility. Reddix paid monthly bribes and kickbacks to Epps for these contracts and other potential contracts. When the scheme was discovered, Reddix had paid Epps a total of $187,500.00 in kickbacks. In return, Reddix and his company, Health Assurance, had obtained over 22 million dollars in contracts with the MDOC resulting in a $1,266,438.00 benefit to Reddix.

Reddix is currently serving his sentence in Butner, North Carolina.

Jackson, Miss –Robert Anthony Davis, 49, of Clinton, pleaded guilty today to commercial driver’s license fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Regional Special Agent in Charge Todd Damiani with the U.S. Department of Transportation - Office of Inspector General.

Davis was charged on March 5, 2018, with making false and fraudulent material representations. Davis previously worked for a company that provided training and certification to individuals seeking commercial driver’s licenses ("CDLs"). His employment only authorized certification to those who were students of the company. However, Davis provided paperwork to those who were not students of his employer, representing that the applicant had taken the road skills test, when in fact the applicant had not. The fraudulent paperwork was provided to individuals seeking to obtain a CDL in exchange for payment to Davis. The fraudulent paperwork was presented by these individuals to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety in order to secure a CDL. A review of the commercial drivers’ paperwork in Mississippi showed that some of the applicants could not have achieved the results on the paperwork. Some CDL holders were interviewed and said they had never taken the test and just paid Davis for the paperwork.

"This investigation demonstrates our commitment to protecting the efficacy of DOT’s commercial driver’s license regulations and advancing safety on the roads by ensuring that only qualified individuals obtain CDLs," stated Todd Damiani, Regional Special Agent-In-Charge at U.S. DOT-OIG. "Working with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, we will continue our vigorous efforts to prevent, detect and prosecute fraud schemes which endanger the traveling public."

The case was investigated by the United States Department of Transportation - Office of Inspector General, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.

Jackson, Miss. – Kevin Ashley Wells, a/k/a “Big 50,” 37, of Philadelphia, Mississippi, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. Chief District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III to 53 months in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release for possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.  

On October 13, 2015, Wells sold a quantity of methamphetamine to a confidential informant.   He pled guilty on July 20, 2018, to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The case is the result of an extensive investigation, dubbed AOperation Highlife,@ which began as an operation targeting illegal narcotics distribution in east central Mississippi area that involved the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.  The distribution network encompasses the States of California, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

“Methamphetamine has devastated countless communities due to the dramatic health and public safety consequences that typically accompany its introduction into an area,” said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans Jere T. Miles. “Today’s guilty plea stems from an extensive HSI effort with its federal, state and local partners to dismantle a drug trafficking organization that decimated parts of Mississippi and Alabama with methamphetamine smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico. This operation is a testament to the seamless partnership between HSI, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and we are thankful for their assistance as well as the U.S. Attorneys’ to improve the lives of law-abiding residents throughout Mississippi and Alabama.”

This case is a result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. Assisting agencies include the Philadelphia Police Department, Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department, Neshoba County District Attorney’s Office, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Flowood Police Department, Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, Carthage Police Department, Union Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Louisville Police Department, Mississippi Highway Patrol,  and the United States Marshal Service.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Chalk is prosecuting the case.

Gulfport, Miss. – Yerdinson Rodriguez-Tavarez, a 24 year-old citizen of the Dominican Republic and lawful permanent resident of the U.S. living in Texas, pled guilty Friday before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to the crime of transporting an illegal alien within the United States, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Gregory K. Bovino, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector.

Rodriguez-Tavarez is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on January 24, 2019. He faces a potential maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, along with special assessments that could total $5,100. He also will be subject to Department of Homeland Security immigration removal proceedings.

On August 6, 2018, a South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team Agent, who also is an officer with the Gautier Police Department, was on duty along Interstate 10 eastbound in Jackson County. The Metro Enforcement Team is an interagency task force that patrols known smuggling routes in Jackson County including I-10. Around 7:45 a.m., the agent stopped a 2015 Toyota Corolla with a fraudulent Texas license paper tag. The task force agent’s training and experience led him to believe that he had interrupted an alien smuggling event in progress, and he called the U.S. Border Patrol.

Ultimately, the driver was arrested for transporting illegal aliens. His five passengers were arrested for being illegally present in the United States, and all were transported to the Gulfport Border Patrol Station for processing. At the Border Patrol Station, two of the five illegal alien passengers were identified as having been previously lawfully removed from the United States.

U.S. Attorney Hurst praised the coordinated work of the United States Border Patrol, the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team, and the Gautier Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Stan Harris is the prosecutor for the case.

Jackson, Miss. – Curtis Pixley, 39, of Washington, D.C., pled guilty yesterday before Chief United States District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III, to intentionally assaulting another person and to possessing a shank in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.

On September 7, 2017, Curtis Pixley—a federal prisoner—retrieved a 9-inch shank from his cell in a housing unit at the federal penitentiary in Yazoo City, Mississippi. He walked to a table where prisoners were seated and as a prisoner got up from the table Mr. Pixley began stabbing him repeatedly. The victim survived his injuries.

Pixley will be sentenced in Jackson by Judge Jordan on January 25, 2018, and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, followed by up to 6 years of supervised release, and a $500,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Jackson, Miss. – Cedric Winfield, 23, of Clinton, pled guilty yesterday before Senior U.S. District Judge William H. Barbour, Jr. to carjacking, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Christopher Freeze, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Mississippi.

A federal grand jury indicted Alexus Guster, Darrell Moore, and Cedric Winfield for carjacking a victim at gunpoint on November 7, 2017. Winfield pleaded guilty yesterday to participating in the carjacking.

Winfield faces a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his role in the carjacking. Guster pled guilty to carjacking in January and is set to be sentenced on November 29, 2018. Moore’s trial is scheduled for November 14, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Barbour.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Jackson Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mary Helen Wall and Kimberly Taft Purdie.

This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime in Jackson through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Jackson Expel Crime Together." PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Jackson, Miss. – Bilal Hamid Love, 35, of Meridian, pled guilty yesterday before Senior U.S. District Judge William H. Barbour III to importing the controlled substance AB-PINACA and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.

"We will remain vigilant in order to capture this poison being sent through our mail system before it hits our streets and harms our citizens. I commend our Postal agents, Homeland Security agents and prosecutor for being proactive and catching this criminal before he hurt our community even more," said U.S. Attorney Hurst.

On March 22, 2015, agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Postal Inspection Service found two packages that were coming from Hong Kong to a resident in Meridian, Mississippi. Inside the packages was AB-PINACA, a powder that is used in making synthetic cannabinoid. Love lives in Meridian and was also the manager at a local sporting goods store in Meridian. Agents searched the sporting goods store and found 3 firearms and numerous packages of synthetic cannabinoid for sale. Agents also searched Love’s home and found numerous items that are used in making synthetic cannabinoid, such as sprayers, AB-PINACA, flavoring, and dryers. Agents also found more firearms, cocaine and marijuana plants. Love was charged in a multi-count federal indictment on March 7, 2018.

"Homeland Security Investigations is highly focused on identifying illegal cross-border shipments as one of its highest priorities," said Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans Jere T. Miles. "The boldness of this criminal effort to import illegal drugs into the U.S. through the mail seriously underestimated the dedication of HSI and its federal partners to identify and seek prosecution of those engaged in this brazen criminal activity."

Love faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $1 million fine. A sentencing date will be determined by the Court.

This case was a joint investigation by U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the East Mississippi Drug Task Force, the Mississippi State Crime Laboratory, and the United States Marshal Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin Chalk.

Jackson, Miss. – Deonte Terrell Proctor, 33, of Jackson, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge William H. Barbour, Jr., to 195-months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

On December 2, 2016, members of the Jackson Police Department served a search warrant on Archer Avenue in Jackson. During the execution of the search warrant, Deonte Terrell Proctor attempted to flee in his car, nearly running over a JPD detective. Proctor then crashed into a ditch and attempted to flee on foot. Proctor threw a firearm into some bushes, but it was later recovered. Proctor subsequently admitted to police that the firearm was his.

Proctor is a convicted felon, having been previously convicted in the Circuit Court of Hinds County for the following felony offenses: receiving stolen goods, felon with firearm, and multiple felony offenses for possession of cocaine and the sale of cocaine.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the Jackson Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Keesha D. Middleton.

This case is part of Project EJECT, an initiative by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi under the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). EJECT is a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to fighting and reducing violent crime in Jackson through prosecution, prevention, re-entry and awareness. EJECT stands for "Empower Jackson Expel Crime Together." PSN is a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Gulfport, Miss. – James Edward Hays, 34, of Vancleave, entered a guilty plea yesterday, before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden, to possession of a firearm by a felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Hays, a Simon City Royal gang member, faces a maximum of 10 years in prison on the charge. He further faces a fine of $250,000 along with 3 years of supervised release. Sentencing is set for January 18, 2019, at 9:00 a.m.

On April 25, 2018, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a person passed out behind the wheel of a running car at a gas station. Deputies found Hays, a three-time convicted felon, with methamphetamine, heroin and a loaded gun.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. The case is prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.

Jackson, Miss. – Omar Bankhead, of Clinton, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate to armed carjacking, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze with the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

On April 2, 2017, officers with the Clinton Police Department responded to a carjacking at Mississippi College. The victim reported sitting in the parking deck at Mississippi College when Bankhead entered her 2015 Kia Optima and ordered her out of the vehicle. Officers later recovered the vehicle in Illinois and Bankhead in Iowa.

Bankhead, a previously convicted felon, will be sentenced by Judge Wingate on January 14, 2019, and faces a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Clinton Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Candace Mayberry.

Gulfport, Miss. – Beatriz Martinez-Villasana, 29, a citizen of Mexico and a Legal Permanent Resident living in Georgia, pled guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to the crime of Fraud Regarding Visas, Permits, or Other Immigration Document, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Gregory A. Bovino, Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s New Orleans Sector.

Martinez-Villasana is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on January 11, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. She faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison followed by 3 years of supervised release and a maximum $250,000 fine. She also will face Department of Homeland Security removal proceedings.

On July 12, 2018, a Border Patrol agent was observing Interstate 10 as part of the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team, an interagency task force in Jackson County. Around 11:10 p.m., a Toyota Corolla that had been identified in Border Patrol intelligence data passed his position on I-10 eastbound. As he neared the vehicle, the agent noticed two occupants slumping down, and he thereafter conducted a traffic stop.

The driver, Martinez-Villasana, was arrested for transporting illegal aliens, and both passengers were arrested for being in the United States illegally. Both passengers pled guilty earlier this month of the felony offense of Illegal Return of an Alien after Removal. Both are awaiting sentencing in U.S. District Court in January 2019.

Also found in Martinez-Villasana’s possession was a fraudulent Legally Admitted Permanent Resident Alien Identification Card and a fraudulent Social Security Card. Both cards were in the name of an illegal alien to the United States who was incarcerated in the State of Georgia on state offenses. Both cards included identification numbers that had been stolen from two victims for whom the numbers had been lawfully assigned by the United States Government. Ms. Martinez-Villasana admitted that she knew the documents were false and that she had been helping the illegal alien named on the cards, who was her friend. She also admitted to unlawfully transporting her two illegal alien passengers and all of her relevant conduct may be used in determining her sentence in federal court.

U.S. Attorney Hurst commended the work of the United States Border Patrol and the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team Interagency Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Stan Harris is the prosecutor for the case.