James Naylor, Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Mississippi 2024

Five individuals were arrested yesterday in a multi-state investigation of a conspiracy to distribute drugs in the Jackson area of Mississippi. The charges stem from a multi-year federal investigation of a drug trafficking operation distributing methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illegal drugs in the area of Jackson and elsewhere.

The indictment charges nine individuals with various drug trafficking crimes, including, but not limited to, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and conspiracy to do so. Several defendants face mandatory minimum sentences because of the significant quantities of illegal drugs. Additionally, some defendants have been charged with firearms-related crimes.

“Criminals in Jackson should be on notice that committing crimes as part of a large group is a one-way ticket to federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to working with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to dismantle drug trafficking and violent organizations and make the Jackson area safer.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Jackson Police Department were involved in the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam T. Stuart is prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carla Clark assisted in the investigation. The Office of Enforcement Operations in the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division also provided assistance.

The defendants arrested yesterday include:

James Naylor, 59, of Jackson, charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Donald Jordan, 49, of Jackson, charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Cedrick Barber, 48, of Jackson, charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Aron Brown, 53, of Madison, charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
Danita Wheeler, 58, of Jackson, charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

The cases are being held in U.S. District Court in Jackson and will be presided over by U.S. Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac.

Related Federal Cases