JACKSON, MS—The FBI Jackson Field Office’s Safe Streets Task Force arrested 13 individuals Tuesday on various federal drug trafficking and firearms charges. During the investigation, the FBI seized 15 firearms and approximately 16 kilograms of methamphetamine, as well as additional amounts of cocaine and fentanyl.

The arrests come following an extensive investigation into violent street gang activity following an increase in violent crime in the Jackson area.

The 13 individuals taken into custody by the FBI are:

• Mario Butler, 40, of Jackson.
• Akoyea Jamere Clayton, 28, of Jackson.
• Marcus Antonio Davis, 41, of Jackson.
• Carrnell Vonshea Denman, 42, of Meridian.
• Antonio Demond Doss, 26, of Morton.
• Marcus Lamon Guice, 44, of Jackson.
• Cedric Leshawn Kyle, 47, of Jackson.
• Johnathan Jermell Ledbetter, 33, of Jackson.
• Kenneth Lofton, Jr., 43, of Jackson.
• Dennis Demond Mitchell, 39, of Utica.
• Jeffrey Rivers, Jr., 38, of Jackson.
• Tementa Robinson, 40, of Jackson.
• James Lee Simmons, 49, of Jackson.

The individuals made their initial appearances before a United States Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Mississippi in Jackson on Wednesday and today, February 25, 2021.

The case was investigated by the FBI Jackson Field Office’s Safe Streets Task Force which is made up of special agents from the FBI and officers from the Jackson, Ridgeland, and Meridian Police Departments.

The public is reminded that these charges are merely an accusation, and those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.