Natchez, Miss. – Kevin Singleton, 41, of Natchez, pled guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette, III, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more heroin, possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley, and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN) Director John M. Dowdy, Jr.

"We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our law enforcement partners and prosecutors for taking this significant drug dealer off the streets of Natchez and bringing him to justice. As a result of their hard work, this criminal’s ill-gotten gains have been forfeited and he is no longer peddling his poison on our streets. This case is a prime example of how partnerships across all levels of law enforcement are making our neighborhoods safe again," said U.S. Attorney Hurst.

"With this conviction, DEA and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners have taken down a drug trafficker responsible for distributing large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine in Natchez area and beyond. By removing this criminal from the streets, he can no longer threaten the health and safety of our communities. We will continue to work together to target criminal organizations and their assets to ensure that drug traffickers are held responsible for the harm they cause," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Byerley.

"Working with our federal and local law enforcement partners substantially enhances our efforts to keep illegal drugs off the streets of our communities," said MBN Director Dowdy. "The guilty plea today ensures that this major narcotics trafficker will no longer plague Natchez or southwest Mississippi."

This case is the result of an extensive investigation targeting illegal narcotics distribution in the Natchez area that involved the distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine. During the investigation, on March 2, 2018, federal and state agents executed a search warrant at Singleton’s residence and seized approximately 25.5 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, approximately 114.2 grams of heroin, and approximately 1.9 kilograms of methamphetamine with a substance purity of approximately 99%. Agents also seized approximately $1.1 million in cash from Singleton’s residence. Three firearms were seized, including a DPMS A-15 .223 semi-automatic rifle loaded with a high capacity magazine holding 44 rounds of .223 caliber ammunition, with an additional magazine loaded with 30 rounds of .223 ammunition, and 66 additional rounds of .223 caliber ammunition. Also seized was a Glock .40 caliber handgun loaded with 13 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition with an additional Glock magazine loaded with 12 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition, and 12 additional rounds of .40 caliber boxed ammunition. A Smith & Wesson .38 Special +P revolver was also seized. Singleton is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Singleton will be sentenced by Judge Bramlette on August 13, 2019, at 10:00 a.m. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a $10,000,000 fine, followed by at least 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He faces the same maximum penalty for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He faces a maximum penalty of at least 5 years but not more than 40 years and a $5,000,000 fine for possession with intent to distribute heroin, and a maximum penalty of not less than 5 years and a $250,000 fine for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and the U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carla J. Clark.

Jackson, Miss. – Kevin Singleton, a/k/a "Sing," 40, of Natchez, has been charged in a three-count federal indictment with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Stephen G. Azzam, and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN) Director John M. Dowdy, Jr.

Singleton is scheduled to appear for an arraignment today in Jackson at 1:30 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda R. Anderson.

On March 2, 2018, federal, state, and local law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at Singleton’s residence in Natchez, Mississippi, and seized large quantities of heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, in addition to approximately $1.1 million and three firearms.

According to Count 1 of the indictment, on or about March 2, 2018, Singleton possessed with intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin, 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, and 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The maximum penalty for this offense is 20 years to life in prison and a $20 million fine.

Count 2 of the indictment charges that, on the same date, Singleton possessed firearms after he had been convicted previously of a felony crime. The maximum penalty for this offense is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Count 3 of the indictment charges that Singleton possessed firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The maximum penalty for this offense is 10 years in prison in addition to any sentence handed down for possession with intent to distribute (Count 1).

The indictment also provides notice that the United States intends to pursue forfeiture of the $1.1 million seized from Singleton’s residence as well as the firearms which the indictment

identifies as a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a DPMS A-15 semi-automatic rifle, and a Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver, in addition to any ammunition.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Postal Service, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, the Pearl Police Department, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Carla J. Clark.

The public is reminded that a criminal indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. It is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.