“Operation Yeti Ice” Defendants Enter Guilty Pleas In Federal Court
JACKSON, Miss. - Seven individuals who were indicted as a result of the Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) “Operation Yeti Ice” investigation have entered guilty pleas before U.S. District Judge Dan Jordan III, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph W. Shepherd and U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis announced today.
“Operation Yeti Ice” is an extensive Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task (OCDETF) investigation, which began as an operation targeting illegal narcotics distribution in central Mississippi. The drug network involved the distribution of over 100 kilograms of Methamphetamine and encompassed the states of California and Mississippi.
Jennifer Higgins McLemore, 35, of Pearl, pleaded guilty on January 28, 2015 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. She will be sentenced on April 21, 2015 and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a maximum fine of $10 million.
Walter Pernillo, 42, of San Bernardino, California, pleaded guilty on January 28, 2015 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. He will be sentenced on April 21, 2015 and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a maximum fine of $10 million.
Terry Garth, 35, of Newton, pleaded guilty on January 28, 2015 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and felon in possession of a firearm. He will be sentenced on April 21, 2015 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the conspiracy charge, 10 years in prison for the firearm charge, and a maximum fine of $1 million.
Steven Ochoa, 29, of San Bernardino, California, pleaded guilty on January 29, 2015 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He will be sentenced on April 20, 2015 and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, and a $10 million fine.
Jennifer Toole Kidd, 30, of Newton, pleaded guilty on January 30, 2015 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. She will be sentenced on April 20, 2015 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Jakeivia Fairley, 24, of San Bernardino, California, pleaded guilty on January 30, 2015 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. She will be sentenced on April 20, 2015 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine.
Beatrice Williams McEntee, 56, of Forest, pleaded guilty on February 2, 2015 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. She will be sentenced on April 23, 2015 and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine.
This OCDETF operation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Postal Service, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Leake County Sherriff’s Office, Madison County Sherriff’s Office, Carthage Police Department, Forest Police Department, Newton County Sherriff’s Office, Lauderdale County Sherriff’s Office, Decatur Police Department, Richland Police Department, Pearl Police Department, Ridgeland Police Department, and the Jackson Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin Chalk is prosecuting the case.
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.
Parents and children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.
