ATF Operation Yields Six Convictions for Narcotics Distribution Offenses in Jackson

JACKSON, MS – Six individuals have pleaded guilty to narcotics distribution offenses after an ATF Operation in Jackson, Mississippi in 2024 and 2025.

According to court documents and statements made in open court, the ATF Jackson Field Office began a street-level narcotics operation in Jackson in September 2024 with the goal of identifying and investigating narcotics traffickers in Jackson. Over the course of four months, the ATF made numerous controlled purchases of illegal narcotics and executed search warrants at three separate residences in Jackson. Fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, cocaine base, and ecstasy were seized during the operation. Also seized were firearms, ammunition, and two ballistic vests. These narcotics traffickers have pleaded guilty and await sentencing:

• Stevenson Bentley, 46, Jackson, MS: pleaded guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine on August 7, 2025, and awaits sentencing scheduled for November 5, 2025. Bentley faces a mandatory minimum penalty of ten years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
• Michael Murrell, 61, Jackson, MS: pleaded guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine on May 28, 2025, and awaits sentencing scheduled for August 27, 2025. Murrell faces a mandatory minimum of five years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment.
• Lorenzo Loggins, 35, Jackson, MS: pleaded guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Fentanyl on May 13, 2025, and awaits sentencing scheduled for August 11, 2025. Loggins faces a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment.
• David Ransom, 56, Jackson, MS: pleaded guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base on July 11, 2025, and awaits sentencing scheduled for October 17, 2025. Ransom faces a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment.
• Rodrick Hunter, 48, Jackson, MS: pleaded guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine on June 13, 2025, and awaits sentencing scheduled for October 16, 2025. Hunter faces a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment.
• Brian Hobson, 35, Jackson, MS: pleaded guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base, and awaits sentencing scheduled for October 16, 2025. Hobson faces a maximum penalty of twenty years imprisonment.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson made the announcement.

The United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosive is investigating the case with assistance from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Jackson Police Department, and the Capitol Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel Goff and Brett Grantham are prosecuting the case.