An undercover operation in Hattiesburg has led to jail time for two defendants.
41-year-old Santoria L. French, of Hattiesburg, and 33-year-old Lemont Antoine Jackson, of Jackson, were both sentenced to multiple years in federal prison on gun and drug charges, according to U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst.
From 2016-2017, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted an undercover operation in Hattiesburg targeting drug and gun dealers in the area.
During that time period, French sold a confidential informant cocaine and firearms on at least 12 different occasions. French pled guilty to charges in July, and has now been sentenced to serve 4 years in prison.
In May 2017, Jackson, a three-time convicted felon, sold a Yugoslavian 7.62 caliber rifle with two 30-round magazines to an undercover agent. Also in July 2018, Jackson pled guilty to the charges. Jackson will spend 7 years in prison as a result.
