The Southern District of Mississippi filed a federal indictment, leading to the detention of five suspects on Tuesday, July 30.
The allegations against the accused result from a multi-year federal investigation into a drug trafficking ring that distributed methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illegal narcotics in the Jackson area and elsewhere.
On Tuesday, we arrested the following defendants:
James Naylor, 59, of Jackson
Donald Jordan, 49, of Jackson
Cedrick Barber, 48, of Jackson
Aron Brown, 53, of Madison
Danita Wheeler, 58, of Jackson
On Wednesday morning, U.S. Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac presided over initial court appearances in Jackson District Court.
The indictment charges nine people with a variety of drug trafficking offenses, including possession with intent to distribute controlled narcotics and conspiracy to do so. Several defendants face mandatory minimum sentences due to large quantities of illegal narcotics. Additionally, authorities have charged some offenders with gun offenses.
“The Department of Justice is working hard with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to help make the Jackson area safer by conducting major investigations, like this one, that dismantle drug trafficking and violent organizations,” said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee. “Criminals in Jackson should be on notice that committing crimes as part of a large group is a one-way ticket to federal prison.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Jackson Police Department are all investigating the cases.