Jackson, Miss. - John Barrett Cotting, 39, of Brandon, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Cotting was indicted following an extensive investigation, dubbed “Drama Queen," targeting illegal methamphetamine distribution in Central Mississippi. During a prostitution sting, agents received messages from Cotting who wanted to meet for sexual purposes related to a Backpage.com ad. Cotting stated that he was willing to bring narcotics with him to the meeting. Once Cotting arrived at the meeting location, agents retrieved approximately 140 grams of actual methamphetamine intended for distribution.
Cotting will be sentenced by Judge Reees on October 8, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, the Jones County Sheriff’s Office, the Jackson Police Department, the Richland Police Department, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Internal Revenue Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chris Wansley.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
