A South Carolina man has been ordered to spend the next three decades behind bars for his role in a meth trafficking operation that spanned the eastern seaboard.
Joseph Gray, Jr., 47, pleaded guilty on September 12, 2022, to conspiracy to distribute meth, while Jasmine Cecelia Dorsey, 28, entered her plea on February 1, 2022, to importing meth.
According to court documents, Gray’s trafficking organization smuggled drugs throughout parts of the eastern seaboard, including Georgia, the Carolinas, New York, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
After being released from state custody for robbing and killing a person and from federal custody for trafficking crack cocaine, Gray continued to engage in drug trafficking crimes, leading to a series of supervised release revocations and an additional drug trafficking conviction.
In handing down the prison terms, U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez noted that Gray was given many chances to change his life, but did not do so.
Two others were previously convicted and sentenced for their role in the conspiracy. Iyana De’Kyra Carter received a 78-month-term of imprisonment, while Keith Anthony Murray was ordered to serve 182 months.
On July 31, 2021, Dorsey and Carter traveled from Mexico and attempted to enter the United States through Hidalgo, Texas, port of entry with approximately 18 kilograms of pure meth concealed in the gas tank.
Further investigation revealed that Gray directed Murray to hire drug mules. Dorsey and Carter drove from Atlanta, Georgia, to Monterrey, Mexico, loaded the vehicle with meth, and attempted to bring the narcotics back to Georgia for further distribution. Gray coordinated extensively with Mexican and Panama narcotics traffickers to ensure the meth was received safely.
Gray will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future. Dorsey was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender at a later date.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations with the assistance of Customs and Border Protection. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jongwoo Chung prosecuted the case.
Mandatory Facts:
• Defendant/Respondent: Joseph Gray, Jr.
• Exact Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute meth and importing meth
• City and State: McAllen, Texas
• Exact Date: September 12, 2022 (sentencing)
• Sentence or Outcome: 360-month term of imprisonment (30 years)
• Defendant’s Current Status: In custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility
Related Federal Cases
- Rafael Villanueva, Cocaine Trafficking, Texas 2024 · New York
- Romaro Lanarie Foster Sr., Cocaine Trafficking, Pennsylvania 2022 · New York
- James Johnson, Marijuana Distribution, Washington 2022 · Connecticut
- Avon Shuttleworth, Cocaine Distribution, Georgia 2020 · Alabama
- Treiu Thuy Duong, Bath Salts Distribution, Pennsylvania 2013-2014 · New York
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking