Meridian Men Indicted for Killing a Witness and Drug Trafficking

Jackson, Miss. – Aubrey Maurice Jordan, 26, Monroe L. Hughes, III a/k/a "Roe," 39, and Cortez Lakeith Byrd a/k/a Byrd, 26, all of Meridian, were recently indicted and charged with witness tampering resulting in death, drug trafficking and conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge, J. Derryle Smith, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Dana Nichols.

Aubrey Maurice Jordan and Cortez Lakeith Byrd had their initial appearance and arraignments Friday before U.S. Magistrate Linda R. Anderson. Monroe L. Hughes, III, is scheduled to have his initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Linda R. Anderson on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.

On or about March 10, 2018, a confidential source for the East Mississippi Drug Task Force was shot in the back of the neck. The confidential source had previously participated in controlled buys on or about September 21, 2017, and on or about October 9, 2017, involving Monroe L. Hughes, III and Cortez Lakeith Byrd.

In Count 1, Monroe Hughes and Cortez Byrd are charged with conspiracy to possess 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, which carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine. In Count 2, Hughes is charged with possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, which carries a maximum penalty 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine. In Count 3, Hughes and Byrd are charged with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. In Counts 5 and 7, Aubrey Jordan is charged with tampering with and retaliating against witness by killing, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison or imprisonment for any term of years. All men are charged in Counts 4 and 6 with conspiracy to tamper with and retaliate against a witness, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison or imprisonment for any term of years.

This case is set for trial on September 4, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves.

The public is reminded that the indictment is merely an accusation and that the defendants are each presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case is the result of an investigation by the East Mississippi Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Meridian Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Keesha Middleton.