Victor Coleman, Methamphetamine Distribution, Mississippi 2023

GULFPORT, MS – Victor Coleman, a/k/a “Stone,” 33, of Laurel, Mississippi, is headed to federal prison for three decades after being sentenced today for orchestrating a significant methamphetamine distribution network. U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden handed down a 360-month sentence – that’s 30 years – followed by five years of supervised release. Coleman was also slapped with a $10,000 fine for his crimes.

The case, spearheaded by U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Jere T. Miles, began unraveling on January 23, 2018, when a confidential source initiated a recorded phone call with Coleman, seeking to purchase methamphetamine. Coleman, despite being out of town, brazenly promised a delivery of four ounces of the drug. He directed the source to meet Jack Hales at a fast-food restaurant on Pass Road in Harrison County, even providing Hales’ phone number for further negotiation.

Agents didn’t let the deal go down. Later that same day, Hales was arrested attempting to deliver the methamphetamine on Coleman’s behalf. The operation didn’t stop there. Over the following months, the source managed to purchase approximately four pounds of methamphetamine directly from Coleman, solidifying the evidence against the Laurel man. Coleman clearly thought he was untouchable, operating as a major supplier in the region.

Hales, the fall guy, previously copped a plea and received his own sentence of 157 months in federal prison, also with five years of supervised release and a $5,000 fine. While Hales will spend over a decade behind bars, Coleman, as the mastermind, received a far harsher penalty, reflecting the gravity of his role in poisoning Mississippi communities.

Homeland Security Investigations agents in Gulfport conducted the investigation, meticulously building a case against Coleman. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathlyn R. Van Buskirk skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring that justice was served. The lengthy sentence sends a clear message: large-scale drug trafficking will not be tolerated in Mississippi.

This conviction demonstrates the commitment of federal law enforcement to dismantling drug networks and holding those responsible accountable. Coleman’s 30-year sentence should serve as a deterrent to others considering a similar path. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the ongoing efforts to combat drug crime in the region.

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