Three Memphis men were sentenced following their convictions on Nov. 12, 2025, for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, according to an April 17 announcement by the U.S. Department of Justice. Darius Moore received a sentence of 210 months in prison, while Mervin Anderson and Mario Gardner were previously sentenced to 150 months and 51 months respectively.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address drug trafficking and violent crime in the Western District of Tennessee. The prosecution was part of a broader initiative targeting gang-related narcotics offenses that impact public safety.
Court documents showed that Moore was classified as a career offender due to previous convictions involving hydromorphone sales in 2005 and 2008. He committed this latest offense while on supervised release for a prior conviction related to fentanyl distribution near a playground. Moore also received an additional year in prison for violating his supervised release conditions.
Evidence at trial indicated the defendants were members or associates of the Young Mob Military street gang. One leader, Brian Lackland, played a central role in organizing shipments of thousands of fentanyl pills through the United States Postal Service addressed to his residence. The pills were made to resemble Oxycodone and referred to as “blues” or “blues clues.” Surveillance footage documented exchanges of large quantities at public locations throughout Memphis.
“These three defendants mailed thousands of dangerous and potentially fatal fentanyl laced pills through the United States mail and openly sold them on the streets of Memphis, ultimately endangering end users,” said Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Dangerous opiates like fentanyl are a scourge to our communities, and leave a wake of death, ruined lives, and sorrow. Dedicated work by law enforcement took this drug trafficking organization down. We will continue to stand with our partners and remove dangerous drug dealers from the streets.”
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant for the Western District of Tennessee said: “Because illicit fentanyl is closer to a chemical weapon than a narcotic, President Trump has designated fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction (WMD). Its lethality is significant, and those who traffic fentanyl must be severely punished and incapacitated. This sentence will ensure that this recidivist ‘not-so-young’ mob member will grow old in a federal prison.”
Special Agent in Charge Jamey VanVliet from ATF Nashville Field Office said: “ATF will not tolerate violent gangs that fuel their criminality by distributing danger drugs like fentanyl on our streets... Through persistent investigation, collaboration, and enforcement, we will continue to dismantle these criminal networks and protect the safety and security of our citizens.”
While awaiting trial on drug charges at Shelby County Detention Center, Anderson was convicted separately for possessing two handmade knives known as shanks; video evidence showed him threatening another inmate with these weapons.
Other alleged members—including leaders—of Young Mob face separate indictments involving racketeering conspiracy along with narcotics- or firearm-related charges.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with Memphis Police investigated this case which was prosecuted by attorneys from both local offices within the U.S Department Of Justice’s Violent Crime And Racketeering Section (VCRS).
The U.S Attorney for The Western District Of Tennessee advances community safety through federal law enforcement initiatives according to its official website. It is one among ninety-three offices under The Department Of Justice according to its official website, handling prosecutions related both criminally federally—and civil defenses—for cases arising within its jurisdiction according to its official website. Serving western Tennessee—with offices located across both Memphis & Jackson—the district traces origins back over two centuries—to 1803 according to its official website.
