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Press Release

ATF Hattiesburg Undercover Operation Nets Prison Time for Drug and Illegal Firearms Offenders

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Miss – Santoria L. French, 41, of Hattiesburg, and Lemont Antoine Jackson, 33, of Jackson, were sentenced yesterday to multiple years in federal prison by District Judge Keith Starrett for federal drug and firearms charges, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

From 2016-2017, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives ("ATF") conducted an undercover operation in Hattiesburg targeting persons selling illegal drugs and firearms. Between October 17, 2016 and February 9, 2017, French sold a confidential informant cocaine and firearms on at least 12 different occasions. On July 17, 2018, French pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and was sentenced yesterday to 4 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

On May 25, 2017, Jackson, three time convicted felon, sold a Yugoslavian 7.62 caliber rifle with two 30-round magazines to an undercover agent for $530. On July 17, 2018, Jackson pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was sentenced yesterday to 86 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.

 

Updated October 3, 2018

Topics
Drug Trafficking
Firearms Offenses