Monroe Hughes (left), Cortez Byrd (center), Aubrey Jordan (right). Photos courtesy of Madison County Detention Center.
Three Meridian men have been indicted and charged with seven counts related to a drug trafficking operation and the murder of a potential witness.
According to U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst, 26-year-old Aubrey Maurice Jordan, 39-year-old Monroe L. Hughes III a/k/a “Roe,” 26-year-old and Cortez Lakeith Byrd a/k/a “Byrd” were recently indicted and charged with witness tampering resulting in death, drug trafficking and conspiracy.
In early March of this year, a confidential source for the East Mississippi Drug Task Force was shot in the back of the neck. The same confidential source had previously participated in controlled buys in September & October 2017, both of which involved Hughes III and Byrd.
A news release from Hurst’s office detailed the indictment and the charges brought against the three men.
“- In Count 1, Monroe Hughes and Cortez Byrd are charged with conspiracy to possess 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, which carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.
-In Count 2, Hughes is charged with possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine, which carries a maximum penalty 40 years in prison and a $5,000,000 fine.
-In Count 3, Hughes and Byrd are charged with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
-In Counts 5 and 7, Aubrey Jordan is charged with tampering with and retaliating against witness by killing, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison or imprisonment for any term of years.
-All men are charged in Counts 4 and 6 with conspiracy to tamper with and retaliate against a witness, which carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison or imprisonment for any term of years.”
Jordan and Byrd had their initial appearance and arraignments Friday before U.S. Magistrate Linda R. Anderson. Hughes III is scheduled to have his initial appearance and arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Linda R. Anderson on Tuesday, July 3, 2018.
The trial is set for September 4, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Carlton W. Reeves.
This case is the result of an investigation by the East Mississippi Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Meridian Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Keesha Middleton.
