Hattiesburg, Miss. - Shareka Holmes, 28, of Hattiesburg, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to serve 60 months in federal prison, followed by 7 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Holmes was also ordered to pay a $40,000 fine.
On August 8, 2017, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents intercepted a package at the Federal Express in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Based on training and experience, agents believed the package contained illegal narcotics and obtained a search warrant based on probable cause. Once the search warrant was obtained, agents opened the package and discovered approximately 1,993.6 grams of methamphetamine.
The package was addressed to a residence in Hattiesburg. Agents conducted a controlled delivery and placed the package on the front porch of the recipient address and set up surveillance on the residence and package. A female later identified as Holmes, arrived at the residence, retrieved the package and placed it on the driver’s seat of a Cadillac Escalade. The Escalade belonged to Darrion Jones. Holmes locked the door to the Escalade and left the residence in her vehicle.
Agents followed Holmes and subsequently made contact with her at her residence. Agents asked for consent to search the residence to which Holmes gave written consent. During the search of the residence, agents recovered approximately 860 grams of methamphetamine. Holmes was subsequently arrested and charged. She pled guilty on April 30, 2018. Darrion Jones was sentenced by Judge Starrett on September 6, 2018, to 25 years in federal prison for his role in a related drug trafficking conspiracy.
The case was investigated by the Lamar County Sheriff’s Department, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, Forrest County Sheriff’s Department, Hattiesburg Police Department, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
