Three defendants sentenced to prison in Prentiss County drug cases
BOONEVILLE, Miss. — Three defendants received sentences of 10 years or more in Prentiss County Circuit Court, following guilty pleas on drug charges, according to a press release from the First Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
Judge Michael P. Mills Jr. sentenced William Kelly Rhodes and Vanessa Gracia to 10 years each for heroin trafficking. Both sentences will be served without the possibility of parole or early release, and each defendant must complete five years of post-release supervision.
The convictions stem from a search warrant executed at a residence on County Road 1361 in Rienzi. Law enforcement recovered more than 1,500 grams of heroin, along with smaller amounts of methamphetamine, marijuana, and psilocybin. The investigation involved the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and deputies from the Prentiss and Tishomingo counties sheriff’s departments.
Antonio Vasser pleaded guilty on January 13 to possession of a firearm by a felon and sale of methamphetamine. Judge Mills sentenced Vasser to 15 years in prison. After release, Vasser will face five years of supervised parole.
The cases resulted from separate investigations by the Prentiss County Sheriff’s Department, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, all working together as part of the North Mississippi Narcotics Unit.
Assistant District Attorneys Kyle Robbins and Megan French prosecuted all three cases on behalf of the state, according to the district attorney’s office.
Jason D. Herring, District Attorney for the First Circuit Court District, announced the sentences.
