Herbert Jerome Townsend, Methamphetamine Conspiracy, Mississippi 2013

Herbert Jerome Townsend, a 31-year-old man from Forest, Mississippi, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute, a crime that could land him behind bars for life.

According to court documents, Townsend, a resident of Forest, will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves on July 11, 2013. At that time, he could face a maximum punishment of life in prison and a $10 million fine.

The case was the result of an extensive investigation, dubbed Operation Brusha, targeting illegal narcotics distribution in Scott County, Mississippi. The investigation involved the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Forest Police Department, the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin O. Chalk is prosecuting the case.

Operation Brusha was a multi-agency effort to combat the flow of illegal narcotics in Scott County. The investigation led to the arrest of Herbert Jerome Townsend, who has now pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, also known as “ice.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies in bringing Townsend to justice. “This case is a testament to the dedication and hard work of law enforcement agencies in Mississippi,” said U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis.

For those who may have been victims of a similar crime, there are resources available. If you believe you have been a victim of fraud from a person or an organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of storm victims, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud toll-free at (866) 720-5721, or fax information to (225) 334-4707, or e-mail it to disaster@leo.gov.

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