Laurel Man Sentenced to Over 13 Years in Federal Prison for Meth Conspiracy

Gulfport, Miss. – Jack Benny Hales, 30, of Laurel, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden, Jr. to 157 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Jere T. Miles, Special Agent in Charge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Office of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans. Hales was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.

On January 23, 2018, Hales delivered over 50 grams of 94% pure methamphetamine to a cooperating source in Gulfport, Mississippi. Prior to successfully delivering the methamphetamine, HSI agents learned of Hales’s location. Agents went to the location and blocked Hales’s car in the parking lot. While arresting Hales, agents found the methamphetamine in a bag in his car.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk.