Los Angeles Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Heroin and Methamphetamine Trafficking

HONOLULU – Jamil Jones, 39, was sentenced in federal court today by U.S. District Court Judge Derrick K. Watson to 20 years in prison for distributing and conspiring to distribute heroin and methamphetamine. Jones was charged in an indictment in August 2021 with three counts—drug trafficking conspiracy, distribution of fifty grams or more of methamphetamine, and distribution of 100 grams or more of heroin. Jones was convicted of the charges after a five-day jury trial in April 2022.

According to court documents and information presented in court, for at least a year, Jones conspired with Felix Thaxton, a resident of Honolulu, to send methamphetamine and heroin from California to Hawaii. On June 11, 2021, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed a federal search warrant at a Waikiki apartment rented by Thaxton. The DEA seized methamphetamine, heroin, guns, and over $45,000 in U.S. currency. Thaxton was arrested and identified Jones as his drug supplier. Later that day, the DEA recovered a parcel containing approximately seven kilograms of heroin and two pounds of methamphetamine that Jones had sent to a Wahiawa residence connected with Thaxton.

On June 24, 2021, the DEA executed another search warrant at a residence in Los Angeles associated with Jones. The DEA found a vacuum sealer, vacuum seal bags and insulation board—items matching the contents of the June 11 drug parcel. The DEA also found two guns and ammunition. Shortly after the search warrant was executed, Jones was spotted in the area. He fled and led the DEA in a high-speed car chase on city streets and highways until the DEA ended their pursuit due to public safety concerns. However, Jones was found the following day hiding out at a motel in Desert Hot Springs, over 100 miles inland of Los Angeles, where he was arrested.

“Although methamphetamine continues to be at the forefront of illicit drug trafficking in Hawaii, as this case illustrates, there is also a demand for substantial quantities of other drugs like heroin,” said Clare E. Connors, United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii. “This substantial sentence is justified for trafficking in multiple illegal drugs in these quantities.”

“The DEA recognizes that methamphetamine and heroin continue to ravage many communities and families in Hawaii. As such, the DEA will continue to relentlessly partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our state, local, and federal partners to bring methamphetamine and heroin traffickers like Jamil Jones to justice,” said Deputy Special Agent in Charge Anthony A. Chrysanthis.

DEA conducted the investigation resulting in the indictment, assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Albanese and Mohammad Khatib prosecuted the case.