Twenty Mississippi Officers Including Two Sheriffs Indicted in Large Drug Bribery Conspiracy

Federal prosecutors have indicted 20 individuals, including 14 current and former law enforcement officers from the Mississippi Delta region, for participating in a large-scale drug trafficking and bribery conspiracy. The accused, including two sitting sheriffs, Milton Gaston and Bruce Williams, allegedly accepted bribes up to $37,000 to provide protection and safe passage for drug shipments, including approximately 55 pounds of cocaine, transported through multiple counties and into Tennessee. The investigation, involving undercover FBI operations posing as Mexican cartel members, revealed officers facilitating drug transport logistics, armed security, and escort services, betraying public trust and undermining law enforcement integrity. U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner and FBI Deputy Director Andrew Bailey highlighted the severity of the corruption and emphasized that such actions are a monumental betrayal of community safety. The case reflects one of the largest coordinated public corruption investigations in Mississippi's recent history, with agencies across the state cooperating fully with federal authorities. This scandal underscores ongoing challenges in combating drug trafficking and corruption within law enforcement ranks.