United States Drug Enforcement Administration

GREENVILLE, MS –   U.S. Attorney Scott Leary announced that law enforcement agencies came together in the Northern District of Mississippi to bring down a drug trafficking organization. Multiple offenders were arrested, 25 pounds of methamphetamine was seized, along with over 4,000 pills containing fentanyl.  

U.S. Attorney Scott F. Leary stated, “We live in a wonderful state and a wonderful country. Old fashioned patriotism should never be criticized. Normal love of country does not make one a zealous super-patriot, it makes one an American. Oh yea, and we still live with heroes in our midst. Law enforcement officers are engaged in a constant and primitive struggle to protect our communities and children. An aspect of this struggle concerns the scourge of drug trafficking organizations (DTOs). DTOs entice our children with the false promise of camaraderie and easy money. The result is destroyed lives and broken communities. The DEA, United States Marshal Service, and Grenada Police Department recently concluded a multi-year investigation into such a DTO, responsible for trafficking in fentanyl and methamphetamine, all while committing firearm crimes. State and federal officers engaged in the dangerous work of dismantling this organization, which involved the unfortunately familiar Vice Lord and Gangster Disciple gangs. The Marshals apprehended a fugitive in California. Our officers are heroes, and we as patriots applaud their dedication.”

Chief United States District Court Judge, Honorable Deborah M. Brown ordered the following: 

• Chauncey Young was sentenced to 46 months on the charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl with an additional three years supervised release.
• Courasier Young was sentenced to 151 months on the charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine in addition to three years supervised release.
• Antonio Harley was sentenced to 18 months on the charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing fluorofentanyl in addition to three years supervised release. 
• Jerrica Nahwooksy was sentenced to 21 months on the charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a mixture of substance containing fentanyl in addition to three years supervised release. 
• Aleatha Pullen was sentenced to 70 months on the charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a mixture of substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine in addition to three years supervised release. 
• Jesse Coleman was sentenced to 48 months on the charge of aiding and abetting the use of a communication facility in committing, causing and facilitating a felony in addition to one-year supervised release 
• Johnathan Sanders was sentenced to 21 months on the charge of conspiracy to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine in addition to three years on supervised release.
• Kevin Golliday was sentenced to 44 months on the charge of aiding and abetting the use of communication facility in causing or facilitating the commission of a felony in addition to one year on supervised release. 
• Marcus Jones was sentenced to 120 months on the charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in addition to five years of supervised release. 
• James Pruitt was sentenced to 44 months on the charge of conspiracy to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and fentanyl in addition to three years of supervised release.
• Erik Love was sentenced to 92 months for the charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine in addition to three years of supervised release.
• Christopher Caffey was sentenced to 200 months for the charge of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl in addition to five years of supervised release. 

“Through the Homeland Security Task Force, law enforcement stood united to dismantle a dangerous drug network operating in the Mississippi Delta. Taking 25 pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of fentanyl pills off the streets saved lives. The DEA and our partners will not let armed gangs poison our communities; if you deal lethal drugs in Mississippi, we will find you and hold you accountable,” said Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott.

“The Mississippi Department of Public Safety is proud to stand alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in our shared mission to protect the people of Mississippi," stated Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. "Public safety is strongest when agencies work together, share information, and coordinate resources to hold offenders accountable and prevent crime before it impacts our communities. We are grateful for the leadership at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the dedication of every partner committed to making our neighborhoods safer for the families we serve.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chad Doleac prosecuted the case.

This operation and conviction is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion.  The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating tin the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children.  The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.  HSTF Jackson comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, ICE ERO, CBP, CBP OFO, CBP USBP, CBP AMO, CGIS, ATF, USMS, IRS-CI, USPIS and with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.