GULFPORT, MS – Another small-time dealer thinking he could profit off the misery of others is facing a long stretch behind bars. Antonio Hugger, 30, of Leakesville, Mississippi, received a brutal 188-month federal prison sentence today, followed by five years of supervised release, for peddling methamphetamine. Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola, Jr. didn’t show him any leniency.
The bust stemmed from a series of transactions between March 9, 2016, and September 22, 2016, where Hugger repeatedly sold meth to a confidential informant. Four separate purchases sealed his fate. When federal agents finally moved in after the last deal, they found Hugger not only still in possession of the original buy money but also flush with an additional $2,389 – dirty money earned from poisoning the community.
Hugger was initially indicted on July 10, 2019, but it took until January 24, 2020, for him to finally admit guilt, pleading to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The feds weren’t messing around; they held Hugger accountable for moving over six ounces of *pure* methamphetamine – a significant amount for a local operator.
U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze jointly announced the sentencing, sending a clear message: the feds are actively targeting drug traffickers in Mississippi. This wasn’t some minor possession charge; this was a calculated effort to profit from addiction, and the court responded accordingly. The streets of Leakesville are a little safer tonight, but the damage Hugger inflicted will linger.
The investigation was spearheaded by the dedicated agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who clearly built a solid case. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Meynardie skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring Hugger faced the full weight of the law. It’s a win for law enforcement, but a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against the relentless flow of narcotics into our communities.
This case serves as a harsh lesson to anyone considering following in Hugger’s footsteps: dealing drugs in Mississippi comes with serious consequences. Over fifteen years in federal prison isn’t worth the fleeting profit. The Grimy Times will continue to track federal prosecutions, exposing the criminals who prey on vulnerable communities and holding them accountable for their actions.
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Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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