Source: United States Attorneys General
Headline: Gautier Man Guilty of Drug Conspiracy After Throwing Drugs and Money from Vehicle
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Jermaine Antonio Newell, 32, of Gautier, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 100 or more grams of heroin, a schedule I controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam.
On November 15, 2017, DEA agents executed three search warrants at three different locations known to be used by Newell, based on information indicating that there would be evidence of drug trafficking activities at the properties. As agents executed one of the search warrants in Soso, Mississippi, a Jones County Deputy Sheriff saw Newell drive by the property and begin throwing bags from the van’s window. Newell threw a bag containing 951 grams of heroin, along with various pills, cocaine, marijuana, a digital scale and approximately $11,000.00 in cash. Shortly after he threw the items, Newell was stopped and arrested. He admitted to conspiring to possess the heroin and intending to distribute it.
Newell will be sentenced on April 17, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. by Judge Starrett, and faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Jones County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.