Hattiesburg Man Gets 96 Months for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Heroin and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking

Gulfport, Miss – William Russell Oswalt, 29, of Hattiesburg, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to a total of 96 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, on firearm and drug trafficking charges, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Oswalt was sentenced to 60 months for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and 36 months for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. He was also ordered to pay $5,000 fine on each charge, for a total of $10,000.

On January 4, 2016, officers with the 12th Circuit Court Narcotics Enforcement Team made an undercover purchase of heroin from Oswalt. On January 17, 2017, officers executed an arrest warrant on Oswalt at a Hattiesburg hotel finding him in possession of marijuana, methamphetamine, digital scales, numerous pills and a loaded firearm. Working with the officers from the Narcotics Enforcement Team, DEA and ATF agents learned that Oswalt had been distributing heroin in the Hattiesburg area since 2013.

The 12th Circuit Court Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Annette Williams.