A federal jury in Jackson, Mississippi has convicted Fredrick Dywane Campbell, 51, and Ramonz Payne, 45, both from Meridian, for their roles in a conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine and marijuana. Evidence presented at trial showed that between November 2019 and July 2020, Campbell arranged with suppliers in Texas and Alabama to obtain approximately 50 kilograms of cocaine imported from Mexico. The drugs were then sold to other dealers in the Meridian area for further distribution. The conspiracy also involved the illegal distribution of marijuana.
Payne was found guilty of participating in the same conspiracy with Campbell and others to possess and distribute both cocaine from Mexico and marijuana.
Several other individuals charged as coconspirators have pleaded guilty. Americo Aldrete of Houston, Texas, and Billy Wilson of Cuba, Alabama, both pleaded guilty on June 23, 2025; their sentencings are scheduled for October 22, 2025. James Green of Meridian pleaded guilty on July 11, 2024, receiving a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in federal prison followed by four years of supervised release; he was also ordered to pay a $1,500 fine and a $100 special assessment. Jeffery Jennings of Meridian pleaded guilty on July 8, 2025; his sentencing is set for November 5, 2025.
Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon for the Southern District of Mississippi announced the convictions along with Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Special Agent in Charge Matthew Reidell, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Director Phillip Pope, and Lauderdale County Sheriff Ward Calhoun III.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN), and the East Mississippi Drug Task Force under the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carla J. Clark and Samuel P. Goff prosecuted the case.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).”
