MERIDIAN DRUG TRAFFICKER SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON

Jackson, MS - A Meridian, MS man was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for his operation of a large drug trafficking organization in the Meridian area. There is no parole in the federal system. According to court documents, Marcus Tremaine Powell, 40, conspired with at least 15 others charged with him in the Meridian area to distribute illegal drugs, including kilogram quantities of powder cocaine and crack cocaine, as well as large amounts of crystal methamphetamine, ecstasy, and marijuana. Under federal sentencing guidelines, Powell's sentence was increased because of his lengthy criminal history in state court and because (1) Powell was manager or supervisor of the drug trafficking operation that involved 5 or more people; (2) during the criminal activity a firearm was possessed; (3) Powell used or directed the use or threat of violence; and (4) when fleeing from law enforcement, Powell recklessly created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to others.

Marcus Tremaine Powell was one of approximately 50 Meridian drug dealers arrested in January 2024 who were charged in a series of 9 federal indictments. Powell was charged in two of those indictments. He pled guilty in both indictments to conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute a series of illegal drugs.

Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi; Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Special Agent in Charge Matthew Reidell, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Phillip Pope, and Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun, III, made the announcement.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the East Mississippi Drug Task Force of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office, assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carla J. Clark and Adam T. Stuart prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).