Fourteen current and former Mississippi law enforcement officers have pleaded not guilty to federal charges in connection with a wide-ranging drug-trafficking conspiracy that prosecutors say involved bribery, cartel ties, and the protection of fake cocaine shipments across state lines.
In total, 20 individuals were indicted — including officers from multiple agencies across Mississippi — accused of taking bribes to provide safe passage for what they believed were major narcotics traffickers. Six civilians, three from Mississippi and three from Tennessee, were also arrested.
Federal prosecutors allege that the officers knowingly helped transport 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of cocaine through several Mississippi counties and into Memphis. Some of them are accused of providing armed escorts to protect drug proceeds, believing they were aiding members of a Mexican cartel.
Among those charged are two elected sheriffs: Washington County Sheriff Milton Gaston and Humphreys County Sheriff Bruce Williams. Prosecutors say both men accepted thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for granting the supposed cartel permission to operate freely within their jurisdictions.
Williams’ attorney, Michael Carr, said his client “maintains his innocence” and looks forward to clearing his name in court. “Let’s get to the merits and in front of a jury so Sheriff Williams can be publicly vindicated and return to work,” Carr said. Gaston’s lawyer has not commented publicly.
All the law enforcement defendants were released on $10,000 bond, under conditions that prohibit them from serving in law enforcement while the case is pending. The Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training has suspended their certifications until a full hearing.
Those charged include: Brandon Addison, Javery Howard, Truron Grayson, Sean Williams, Dexture Franklin, Wendell Johnson, Marcus Nolan, Aasahn Roach, Jeremy Sallis, Torio Chaz Wiseman, Pierre Lakes, Derrik Wallace, Marquivious Bankhead, Chaka Gaines, Martavis Moore, Jamario Sanford, Marvin Flowers, and Dequarian Smith.
Attorneys for several defendants insist their clients are innocent. “He is absolutely innocent of any wrongdoing whatsoever, and everybody knows it,” said lawyer Thomas Levidiotis, who represents Smith, a former officer with the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office and the Isola Police Department.
Federal officials described the indictments as a devastating blow to public confidence in Mississippi’s law enforcement institutions. “This represents a monumental betrayal of public trust,” U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner said during a press conference announcing the charges.
Robert Eikhoff, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Jackson Field Office, echoed that sentiment, saying the arrests underscore the bureau’s commitment to rooting out corruption “at every level of law enforcement.”
Associated Press
