A Meridian, Mississippi man has been sentenced to 500 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Samuel Ykem Boler, aged 33, was found guilty of conspiring to possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentencing was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon, along with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Special Agent in Charge Matt Reidell and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Phillip Pope.
Court documents reveal that between June 2016 and May 2018, Boler collaborated with others to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine from California and Tennessee into central Mississippi. This operation was part of a larger investigation known as “Operation Highlife,” which focused on curbing illegal methamphetamine distribution in the region.
The investigation involved the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations. The operation integrates resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Criminal Chief Erin Chalk is prosecuting the case.
