TWO JACKSON MEN INDICTED FOR DRUG CONSPIRACY RESULTING IN MURDER

Jackson, Miss - Anthony Watson, 25, and Joshua Martin, 23, both of Jackson, were indicted on March 18, 2014 by a federal grand jury for killing Jackson resident Sharod Vaughn on August 13, 2013, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and ATF Special Agent in Charge Phillip R. Durham.

The indictment alleges that Watson and Martin conspired to possess with the intent to distribute less than 50 grams of marijuana and, in the course of carrying out that conspiracy, they shot and killed Sharod Vaughn. The indictment also alleges that, at the time of the murder, Martin was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Causing the death of a person by discharging a firearm during a drug transaction is punishable by death or up to life in prison. The penalty for the conspiracy to possess marijuana is not more than five (5) years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine, and the penalty for being a felon in possession of a firearm is not more than 10 years and up to a $250,000 fine.

Martin and Watson are scheduled to appear before United States Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball on April 22, 2015 for their initial appearance and arraignment. Both are currently in the custody of the Hinds County Jail.

The public is reminded that an indictment is a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.