14 Law Enforcement Officers Among 20 Arrested in Major Mississippi Drug Bribery Sting

Federal authorities have arrested 20 people across Mississippi and Tennessee, including 14 current and former law enforcement officers, in what officials called “a monumental betrayal of public trust.” The group is accused of taking bribes from drug traffickers in exchange for providing police protection and safe passage for what they believed to be cocaine shipments. The arrests come after a multi-year FBI investigation that stretched from the Mississippi Delta into Memphis, Tennessee, and Miami, Florida.

According to court filings, defendants Brandon Addison, Javery Howard, Milton Gaston, Truron Grayson, Bruce Williams, Sean Williams, Dexture Franklin, Wendell Johnson, Marcus Nolan, Aasahn Roach, Jeremy Sallis, Torio Chaz Wiseman, Pierre Lakes, Derrik Wallace, Marquivious Bankhead, Chaka Gaines, Martavis Moore, Jamario Sanford, Marvin Flowers, and Dequarian Smith face federal charges for drug distribution and firearms violations.

Two Mississippi sheriffs — Washington County Sheriff Milton Gaston and Humphreys County Sheriff Bruce Williams — are among those indicted. Authorities say Gaston allegedly tried to disguise his bribes as campaign donations that were never reported.

“The original complaints that began the investigation were from drug dealers,” U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner said, adding that federal agents launched the sting after learning traffickers were already paying officers for protection. “It’s just a monumental betrayal of public trust.”

Prosecutors say undercover agents posed as members of a Mexican drug cartel, offering the officers fake cocaine — about 25 kilograms (55 pounds) — to transport through the Delta region and into Memphis. Some of the accused allegedly took bribes ranging from $20,000 to $37,000 for armed escort services and protection of supposed drug proceeds.

FBI Deputy Director Andrew Bailey said the officers had “sold out the public.”

“They betrayed the trust that the public placed in them, disgraced the badge and undermined the hard work of good law enforcement officers across this state and region,” Bailey said.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves also condemned the alleged corruption, writing: “The law must apply equally to everyone regardless of the title or position they hold. Know that if you betray the people’s trust in Mississippi, you will face consequences.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Mims and investigated by the FBI Jackson Field Office, with help from the U.S. Marshals Service. If convicted, defendants could face decades in federal prison, with sentencing to be determined according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.