Six current or former Mississippi law enforcement officers have pleaded guilty, while another has been found not guilty, in connection with an alleged drug trafficking bribery scheme that involved 20 individuals, including two sheriffs. The case stems from federal indictments filed in October, which accuse 14 current or former Mississippi law officers of accepting bribes from an undercover FBI agent posing as a member of a Mexican drug cartel. In exchange, the officers allegedly facilitated the transport of 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of cocaine through the Mississippi Delta counties and into Memphis, Tennessee. Additionally, six other people — three in Mississippi and three in Tennessee — were also charged in the scheme.
Not Guilty Verdict for Chaka Gaines
Chaka Gaines, a former police officer with the Greenville Police Department, was found not guilty by a jury on Wednesday. Gaines had been charged with aiding and abetting the possession, transportation, and distribution of illegal narcotics, as well as using a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. During the trial, a judge dismissed the gun charge due to insufficient evidence. “This verdict reflects a fundamental principle that the government must prove that a crime occurred; it cannot create one,” said Bridgette Morgan, Gaines’ attorney. The Greenville Police Department did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding Gaines’ employment status.
Plea Deals and Upcoming Trials
Martavis Moore, Jamario Sanford, Marvin Flowers, Dequarian Smith, Brandon Addison, and Javery Howard — all of whom were employed as law enforcement officers at the time of the alleged crimes — have accepted plea deals. Each pleaded guilty to conspiracy to aid and abet the possession, transportation, and distribution of illegal narcotics. Another officer, Sean Williams, has filed a notice of his intent to change his plea. The remaining law enforcement officers, including Washington County Sheriff Milton Gaston and Humphreys County Sheriff Bruce Williams, along with six other indicted individuals, are scheduled to face trial this summer.
