Mar 23, 2025- A Cleveland man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for drug trafficking and possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon.
According to court documents, Bryant Antonio Hester, 55 previously pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing fentanyl as well as possession of one or more firearms by a prohibited person. U.S. District Judge Michael P. Mills sentenced Hester to 180 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Hester was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals following sentencing.
“This defendant is a convicted felon who has once again committed crimes, and he has more than earned his sentence,” stated U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner. “We will continue working alongside our law enforcement partners to remove criminals from our streets and prevent them from illegally possessing firearms.”
“The ATF is working closely with local and state police agencies to address firearm trafficking by convicted felons and the scourge of deadly drugs, including fentanyl, flooding our communities,” said ATF New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson. “Alongside our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, ATF is dedicated to pursuing and combating these criminals to prevent them from doing harm to our communities and neighborhoods.”
“Great work by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and all other agencies involved in bringing this case to justice,” said Mississippi Department of Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell. “Thanks to these combined efforts, this dangerous criminal is off of our Mississippi streets.”
This case was investigated by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the Bolivar County Sheriff’s Office, Cleveland Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
