Pascagoula Man Convicted of Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine

Gulfport, Miss. – Derek Erwin Graves, 52, of Pascagoula, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent-in-Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  Graves is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on March 13, 2020, at 9:00 a.m.  He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and $1,000,000 fine.                                                                                                                                 

On December 30, 2018, the South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team executed a search warrant on an apartment in Pascagoula.  During the search, agents made contact with Derek Erwin Graves, who was found to be in possession of a plastic bag containing about 6 grams of methamphetamine.  Agents also found methamphetamine in Grave’s bedroom and elsewhere in his apartment, along with a semi-automomatic .380 caliber pistol.  Graves, who was a previously convicted felon, was arrested and transported to the Jackson County Adult Detention Center. 

The methamphetamine seized in Graves’ apartment was determined to be actual methamphetamine with purity rates ranging from 96% to 100% pure methamphetamine. 

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, South Mississippi Metro Enforcement Team, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and the City of Pascagoula Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris.