Gulfport, Miss. - Michael Vincent Maes, 30, of Oakland, California, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden to life in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, attempt to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to launder money, and five specific acts of money laundering, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles with Homeland Security Investigations, and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Derryle Smith with the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Between June 2016 and February 2017, Maes was sending packages of methamphetamine to addresses in Slidell, Louisiana, for distribution throughout the Southern District of Mississippi. The individuals distributing that methamphetamine would then deposit proceeds from those sales into Wells Fargo accounts in Biloxi and Gulfport at Maes’ direction. All of the individuals distributing methamphetamine on the Mississippi Coast have previously pled guilty to their activities. Maes was found guilty on Sept. 21, 2018, after a four-day trial. He was acquitted of one specific act of money laundering.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Meynardie and Kathlyn Van Buskirk.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
