Gulfport, Miss. - Darrell Donnell McDonald, 39, of Biloxi, pled guilty today before U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden, to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent-in-Charge Kurt Thielhorn with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
McDonald will be sentenced by Judge Ozerden on Feb. 19, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, and a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
On May 1, 2017, the Biloxi Police Department received a citizen complaint that McDonald had been visiting his small rental storage unit 5-10 times a day and criminal activity was suspected. Biloxi police responded to the complaint and noticed a strong odor of fresh marijuana emanating from the storage unit. Police also obtained a copy of McDonald’s rental agreement and, later that same day, McDonald was caught by Biloxi Police closing the door of the storage unit (with the keys in his hand) while marijuana odor emanated from the unit. A Biloxi Police narcotics canine team arrived, and the canine alerted outside the storage unit.
Pursuant to a state search warrant, the rental unit was searched and the following key items were found: approximately 316 grams of cocaine, approximately 1,758 grams of marijuana, approximately $4,563 in cash, a loaded Hi-Point 9mm handgun and other evidence of drug trafficking activity. Both the cocaine and the marijuana were tested by the Mississippi State Crime Lab in Harrison County. The pistol recovered by police, together with ammunition, was administratively forfeited through ATF processes, and the $4,563.00 was forfeited through state processes upon action by the Biloxi Police.
McDonald had a criminal history of multiple narcotics felony convictions and one firearm related felony conviction. The case was investigated by the ATF and the Biloxi Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
