Eleven Individuals Indicted on Federal Drug Charges

HATTIESBURG, MS—Eleven individuals were indicted this week on federal drug charges, U.S. Attorney John Dowdy and FBI Special Agent in Charge Daniel McMullen announced. Ten of the defendants were arrested on Wednesday, April 4, and a multi-agency team executed search warrants of their residences yielding approximately seven grams of crack cocaine, four handguns, one assault-type rifle, one 2003 Black Cadillac Escalade, and over $7,000.00 in U.S. currency.

Tony Ervin, a/k/a Ti, 36, of Kokomo, is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride and possession with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of crack cocaine. Ervin made his first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mike T. Parker on April 4, 2012. He is set for trial on June 18, 2012 before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett in Hattiesburg. If convicted, Ervin faces a maximum sentence of 80 years in prison and a $5 million fine.

Terris Russell Jefferson, 31, of Kokomo, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride. Jefferson made his first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mike T. Parker on April 4, 2012. He is set for trial on June 18, 2012 before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett in Hattiesburg. If convicted, Jefferson faces a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison and a $3 million fine.

Tighe Jarod Lee, 32, of Columbia, is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of crack cocaine. Lee made his first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mike T. Parker on April 4, 2012. He is set for trial on June 18, 2012 before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett in Hattiesburg. If convicted, Lee faces a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison and a $5 million fine.

Alfredric Antwain James, 27, of Columbia, is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of crack cocaine. James made his first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mike T. Parker on April 4, 2012. He is set for trial on June 18, 2012 before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett in Hattiesburg. If convicted, James faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine.

Stacey Renee Dixon, 32, of Brookhaven, is charged with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Dixon made her first appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball on April 5, 2012. She is set for trial on June 4, 2012 before U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves in Jackson. If convicted, Dixon faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Gary Terrell Lewis, a/k/a Packer, 31, of McComb, is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Lewis made his first court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball on April 5, 2012. He is set for trial on June 4, 2012 before U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves in Jackson. If convicted, Lewis faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

Samuel Cardell Reed, 26, of McComb, is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Reed will make his first court appearance before United States Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball next week. Reed is set for trial on June 4, 2012 before United States District Judge Carlton W. Reeves in Jackson. If convicted, Reed faces a maximum punishment sentence of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

Detroit Lee Rogers, 23, of Magnolia, is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Rogers made his first court appearance before United States Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball on April 6, 2012. Rogers is set for trial on June 4, 2012 before United States District Judge Carlton W. Reeves in Jackson. If convicted, Rogers faces a maximum punishment sentence of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

Jacqueline Wells, 51, of McComb, is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Wells made her first court appearance before United States Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball on April 6, 2012. Wells is set for trial on June 4, 2012 before United States District Judge Carlton W. Reeves in Jackson. If convicted, Wells faces a maximum punishment sentence of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

Clayton Wells, 55, of Summit, is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 280 grams of crack cocaine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Wells made his first court appearance before United States Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball on April 6, 2012. Wells is set for trial on June 4, 2012 before United States District Judge Carlton W. Reeves in Jackson. If convicted, Wells faces a maximum punishment sentence of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

Fredrick Charles McCalup, 31, of Brookhaven, remains at large. He is charged with three counts of possession with intent to distribute more than 28 grams of crack cocaine. If anyone has information concerning his whereabouts, please contact the FBI in Jackson at 601-948-5000. A photo of McCalup is below.

This case is the result of an extensive investigation, dubbed Operation Run This Town, which began as an operation targeting illegal narcotics distribution in Marion, Pike, Forrest, and Lincoln counties, as well as Washington Parish, Louisiana.

The lead investigative agency in this operation is the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Jackson Division. Assisting agencies include the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics; Southwest Mississippi Narcotics Enforcement Unit; Columbia Police Department; United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi; Marion County Sheriff’s Department; Hattiesburg Police Department, Louisiana State Police; the United States Marshals Service; Mississippi Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; HIDTA; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Washington Parish Sheriff’s Department; Forrest County Sheriff’s Department; Pike County Sheriff’s Department; McComb Police Department; and the Forrest County District Attorney’s Office.

The public is reminded that, as in any criminal case, a person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The charges filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.