Biloxi Man Pleads Guilty to Marijuana Conspiracy and Illegally Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon

Gulfport, Miss. – Kendell Jerome Smith, 35, of Biloxi, Mississippi, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent-in-Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

In 2017, in the City of Biloxi Police Department Narcotics Division received community complaints about alleged drug activity at a house occupied by Smith and his girlfriend. In July 2017, detectives conducted surveillance on the house. On July 28, 2017, detectives conducted a traffic stop on Smith and found about 30 grams of marijuana.

A search warrant was obtained and a search of the home shared by Smith and his girlfriend revealed several baggies containing marijuana, other items indicating drug trafficking activity, and $2,514 in cash. Two loaded handguns also were found. The investigation revealed that Smith’s participation in the marijuana conspiracy lasted from July 2017 to July 2018. Smith previously had been convicted of a felony drug offense and was on state parole at the time of his arrest in July 2017.

Smith will be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on April 30, 2019. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine for the conspiracy charge, and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the firearm charge.

U.S. Attorney Hurst commended the coordinated investigation by the ATF and the Biloxi Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris.