A federal jury has found Fredrick Dywane Campbell, 51, and Ramonz Payne, 45, both from Meridian, Mississippi, guilty of conspiring to possess and distribute cocaine and marijuana. Evidence presented at trial showed that between November 2019 and July 2020, Campbell coordinated with suppliers in Texas and Alabama to obtain about 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 convicted for his role in the same conspiracy.
Several others charged in connection with this case have already pleaded guilty. Americo Aldrete of Houston, Texas, and Billy Wilson of Cuba, Alabama, pleaded guilty on June 23, 2025; both are awaiting sentencing scheduled for October 22, 2025. James Green of Meridian pleaded guilty on July 11, 2024, and received a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in federal prison along with four years of supervised release and a $1,500 fine. 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 officials from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN), the Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department.
Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation alongside the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the East Mississippi Drug Task Force from 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).”
