Jackson Jambalaya

The Justice Department issued the following press release:

Jackson, Miss – Five defendants have been named in a multi-count federal indictment charging  conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride, commonly known as cocaine “powder” and cocaine base, commonly known as “crack”, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Daniel Comeaux of the DEA Jackson District Office. The indictment is the result of a two-year investigation by the federal Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) in this district.

Charlie Lee Martin, 53, of Jackson, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride. Martin is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride.

Derek D. Moseley, 48, of Houston, Texas, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride. Moseley is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride.

L.C. Hatfield, Jr., 42 of Jackson, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and to possess with intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride. Hatfield is also charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and two counts of possession with the intent to distribute cocaine hydrochloride.

Richard Williams, 44, of Forest, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base. Williams is also charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

Deontha White, 28 of West Point, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, and one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride.

The case is scheduled for trial before Senior U.S. District Judge William H. Barbour on November 8, 2016.    If convicted on all offenses:

•    Charlie Lee Martin faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and $21M fine;
•    L.C. Hatfield, Jr., faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and $27M fine;
•    Derek D. Mosely faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and $21M fine;
• Richard Williams faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and $1M fine; and
•    Deonta White faces a maximum sentence of 80 years in prison and $10M fine.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of  Narcotics, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and were assisted by, Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, Ridgeland Police Department, Jackson Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mississippi Highway Patrol, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Brandon Police Department, Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Department of Corrections, Pearl Police Department, Flowood Police Department, Customs and Border Patrol, and the DEA Houston Field Division. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jerry L.
Rushing.

The public is reminded that an indictment is merely a charge and should not be d as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.