Acting U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner (center) speaks at a press conference in Oxford, Miss., about the arrests of 14 law enforcement officers across the Mississippi Delta as part of a sting into what the FBI alleges is a “Delta drug conspiracy” on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Photo by Andrew Bell, Mississippi Free Press
A sweeping FBI operation has led to the arrests of several top law enforcement officials across multiple Mississippi Delta counties in what federal authorities are calling a “Delta Drug Conspiracy.” The sting, conducted in the early hours of October 30, targeted officers accused of protecting drug traffickers in exchange for bribes.
Federal agents arrested two sitting sheriffs—Bruce Williams of Humphreys County and Milton M. Gaston of Washington County—along with Marvin Flowers, the chief deputy of the Sunflower County Sheriff’s Department. According to the FBI, these arrests are part of a far-reaching corruption network that extended through several police departments and sheriff’s offices in the Delta region.
Acting U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner confirmed that fourteen officers have been indicted as part of the investigation. He explained that the accused officers allegedly conspired to provide safe passage for illegal narcotics and cash across the Mississippi Delta and into Memphis. In return, they are accused of accepting bribes and committing related firearms offenses.
“This conspiracy involved a network of individuals working together for a common purpose,” Joyner said during a press conference in Oxford. “They provided protection for what they believed were drug traffickers, ensuring the safe transport of narcotics across state lines.”
Those indicted include:
- Bruce Williams, Sheriff of Humphreys County
- Milton Gaston, Sheriff of Washington County
- Brandon Addison of the Hollandale Police Department
- Javery Howard of the Metcalf Police Department
- Truron Grayson of the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office
- Sean Williams of the Yazoo City Police Department
- Dexture Franklin of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office
- Wendell Johnson of the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Office
- Marcus Nolan
- Aasahn Roach
- Jeremy Sallis
- Torio Chaz Wiseman
- Pierre Lakes
- Derrik Wallace
Joyner referred to the final group of names as the “Memphis crew,” describing them as key participants in transporting drugs from the Delta to Tennessee. Another indictment named Jamario Sanford of the Greenwood Police Department and Marvin Flowers, the Sunflower County chief deputy, who allegedly participated in the transport of 25 kilograms of cocaine. Additional defendants include Martavis Moore, Marquivious Bankhead of the Mississippi Highway Patrol, Chaka Gaines of the Greenville Police Department, and Dequarian Smith of both the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Department and the Isola Police Department.
All defendants have been granted bond and remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Assistant Deputy FBI Director Andrew Bailey (right) speaks at a press conference in Oxford, Miss., about the arrests of 14 law enforcement officers across the Mississippi Delta as part of a sting into what the FBI alleges is a “Delta drug conspiracy,” while Special Agent in Charge of the FBI-Jackson Office Robert Eikhoff (left) stands by on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Photo by Andrew Bell, Mississippi Free Press
Andrew Bailey, co-deputy director of the FBI, emphasized the significance of the arrests. “We’re talking about 14 current or former law enforcement officers and six co-conspirators,” he said. “They are alleged to have sold out the public, facilitated crimes they were sworn to prevent, and took bribes to help traffickers move dangerous drugs. They betrayed the badge and the trust that communities placed in them.”
Federal authorities revealed that the investigation began after credible tips from within the criminal community exposed officers allegedly demanding bribes in exchange for protection. Joyner confirmed that undercover operations and controlled runs helped build the case over several years before this week’s coordinated takedown.
The arrests have sent shockwaves through the Delta’s law enforcement community. Sunflower County Sheriff James Haywood, who was not implicated in the case, expressed his disbelief. “It’s shocking that men with this many years in law enforcement—thirty, even forty years—would be involved in something like this,” Haywood said. “This destroys the trust in the community, and now we have to work on gaining that trust back. We’ve got to work hard.”
Local officials are already taking steps to stabilize leadership in the affected departments. Humphreys County Supervisor Woodrow Johnson confirmed an emergency board meeting to address departmental leadership following Sheriff Williams’ arrest. In Washington County, Vice Chairman Lee Gordon said Chief Deputy Billy Barber is now overseeing operations until further notice.
Federal prosecutors and the FBI described the case as one of the most significant corruption investigations in recent Mississippi history. Acting U.S. Attorney Joyner noted that while the arrests represent a major success, they also reveal deep-seated issues of systemic misconduct within certain ranks of law enforcement.
“The investigation may be over for now, but the work to restore integrity is just beginning,” Joyner said.
The FBI has pledged continued oversight and cooperation with state agencies to ensure accountability and to rebuild public confidence across the Mississippi Delta.