Those arrested include 20 people, including 14 current and former Mississippi Delta law enforcement officers, who allegedly accepted bribes as large as $20,000 and $37,000 for helping and protecting an FBI agent posing as a Mexican cartel member to traffic 55 kilograms of cocaine into Memphis. They also allegedly helped transport cash hauls from illicit trades.
“It’s just a monumental betrayal of public trust,” U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner said at a press conference on Thursday.
The multiyear probe led by the FBI’s Jacksonville Office—prompted by complaints from people who had been arrested of coerced payoffs— included multiple jurisdictions in Mississippi and Tennessee. The investigation was led by the FBI’s Criminal Investigation Division’s Public Corruption unit.
Washington County Sheriff Milton Gaston and Humphreys County Sheriff Bruce Williams allegedly allowed the illicit activity in return for bribes, with Gaston accused of disguising bribes as electoral donations without filing proper disclosures.
Others 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.
“We’re talking about 14 current or former law enforcement officers, six co-conspirators, who are alleged to have sold out the public, promoted crimes that they should have been investigating and stopped, and instead of working to stem the flow of dangerous controlled substances, the evidence will show they took bribes to facilitate the distribution of controlled substances,” Bailey said at the press conference.
“They betrayed the trust that the public placed in them, disgraced the badge, and undermined the hard work of good law enforcement officers across the state and across the region.”
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves issued a statement underscoring the need for public officials to also be held accountable for their actions.
“The law must apply equally to everyone regardless of the title or position they hold,” he wrote. “Know that if you betray the people’s trust in Mississippi, you will face consequences.”
Nineteen defendants were also charged with violating federal gun laws.
Judicial filings indicate the federal public defender’s bureau is representing 16 defendants, including the two sheriffs.
The U.S. Marshals Service aided in apprehending the suspects, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Mims is leading the prosecution.
