JACKSON – Eleven defendants, including eight from the Philadelphia area, are facing federal drug charges in multiple indictments unsealed on Wednesday targeting a large, multi-state drug trafficking operation in East Central Mississippi. The indictments were announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles of Homeland Security Investigations, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith with the Drug Enforcement Administration and John M. Dowdy Jr., Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
The indictments unsealed on Wednesday resulted from an extensive Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation dubbed “Operation Highlife” which targeted illegal narcotics distribution in East Central Mississippi. This drug network involved the distribution of over 40 kilograms of methamphetamine, over 3 kilograms of cocaine and over 100 pounds of marijuana. The distribution network encompassed multiple states, including Texas, California, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.
The following individuals have been indicted:
• Shandlette Hudson, 42, of Philadelphia, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, Hudson faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and up to a $20 million fine.
Dijon James Seales, aka “DJ,” 28, of Philadelphia, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, Seales faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and up to a $25.5 million fine.
• Lorenzo Dyrell Hickman, 32, of Philadelphia, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams or more of cocaine. If convicted, Hickman faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and up to a $20 million fine.
• Latrice Cherrrell Boler, 29, of Philadelphia, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, Boler faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and up to a $10 million fine.
• Chaddis Demond McAfee, 36, of Philadelphia, is charged with possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, McAfee faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and up to a $10.5 million fine.
• Courtny Orlando Campbell, 27, of Philadelphia, is charged with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, Campbell faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and up to a $10 million fine.
• Danny L. Drake, 43, of Philadelphia, is charged with possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, Drake faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and up to a $5 million fine.
• Kevin Ashley Wells, aka “Big 50,” 37, of Philadelphia, is charged with possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, Wells faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and up to a $5 million fine.
Also charged were:
• Jimmie Terrell Harrison, 43, of Forest, is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, Harrison faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine.
• Tray Beamon, 32, of Louisville, charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. If convicted, Beamon faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and up to a $20 million fine.
• Brandon Deshanta Miller, 32, of Dallas, Texas, is charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, Miller faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and up to a $30.25 million fine.
Arraignments are scheduled for Friday, June 1 before United States Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball at 9 a.m. and before United States Magistrate Judge Linda R. Anderson at 9:30 a.m.
