9 arrested in major gun & drug-trafficking bust in South MS after undercover investigation

A joint investigation between local, state, and federal agencies has resulted in the indictments of nine men in Stone County for their alleged involvement in a gun and drug-trafficking ring involving tens of thousands of dollars in methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The investigation that included 30 undercover operations resulted in the seizure of nearly 4 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 4,000 fentanyl pills, 18 grams of powder fentanyl and over 20 firearms.

Those indicted on federal charges in the case are:

• Alvonta Demarcus McCray, charged in a six-count indictment for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, and five counts of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He is facing a sentence of up to life in prison.

• Melvin McCray, charged in a five-count indictment with trafficking firearms and in a four-count indictment with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, is facing a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

• Cameron Fairley, charged with trafficking firearms, is facing a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

• Christopher Chase Brown, charged with trafficking firearms and two counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, is facing a sentence of life in prison.

• Nathaniel Jackson, charged in a six-count indictment with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, is facing a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

• Cleon Johnson, charged with possession of a short-barreled shotgun, is facing a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

• Roderick Victor Minter, charged with drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, is facing a sentence of life in prison.

• Tracy Antoine McCall, charged with drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, is facing a sentence of up to life in prison.

• Jeremy Young, charged in a two-count indictment with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, is facing a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

The arrests followed a joint operation between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the U.S. Postal Service and the Stone County Sheriff’s Department as part of Operation Take Back America.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hunter McCreight is prosecuting the case.