Two men from Lowndes County, Mississippi, have been sentenced for their involvement in a drug trafficking operation. Charles Stephen Farrar, Jr., and William Lyon, both residents of Columbus, Mississippi, pled guilty to trafficking methamphetamine in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi.
Farrar received a sentence of over 11 years in prison followed by four years of supervised release. Lyon was sentenced to five years in prison with an additional four years of supervised release. Both sentences were handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Glen H. Davidson.
U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner stated that these sentences serve as a warning to drug dealers about the consequences of their actions within communities. He acknowledged the collaboration with the DEA, ATF, and local law enforcement agencies like the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and Lowndes County Sheriff's Office in addressing illegal narcotics distribution.
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw emphasized that methamphetamine has devastating effects on lives and communities. She highlighted the role of special agents and law enforcement partners in holding traffickers accountable for their actions.
Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell praised the coordinated efforts among various agencies involved in ensuring justice is served and maintaining community safety.
ATF Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson noted that close cooperation with local and state police aims to combat illegal drugs' impact on communities. He reiterated that focusing on repeat offenders is crucial for keeping neighborhoods safe.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Department, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clyde McGee prosecuted the case.
This case forms part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation which targets high-level criminal organizations threatening national security through a collaborative approach involving multiple agencies.
Additionally, this case is linked to Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence while enhancing community safety through strategic enforcement priorities and fostering trust between law enforcement entities and communities.
