FBI busts 17 suspected gang members - 'byproduct of the investigation' into brutal teen murd
PANOLA COUNTY, MS (Mississippi News Now)
A major FBI operation is underway in north Mississippi targeting suspected gang members.
A total of 17 have been indicted in Operation Bite Back. Nine were arrested on Tuesday morning. Two of the suspects were taken into federal custody and are expected in federal court in Oxford Tuesday afternoon.
Six of the suspects have been previously indicted on state charges.
FBI Agents targeted suspected members of the Black Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords, and Sipp Mob street gangs, after gathering intelligence on their suspected criminal activity from local law enforcement and community members weary of the violence in their neighborhoods.
The indictments charge the seventeen suspects on a variety of violations ranging from child endangerment, possession of stolen firearms, narcotics sales, and felon in possession of a firearm to possession of counterfeit currency.
The following is a list of those arrested and the associated charges in Operation Bite Back:
1. 24-year-old Lyndon Mosely, Jr. - distribution of crack cocaine 2. 39-year-old Edward House - distribution of powder cocaine & distribution of crack cocaine 3. 25-year-old Joshua Cannon - cocaine possession 4. 39-year-old Anand Vijay Shegog - sale of a controlled substance 5. 23-year-old Mondarious Armstead - drunk public; receiving stolen property; possession, sale, transfer of stole firearm 6. 22-year-old Gregory B. Andrews – distribution of powder cocaine (2x) 7. 18-year-old D’lirian Case - attempt to pass of counterfeit and passing counterfeit 8. 34-year-old Janicholas Vankeith Scott - sale of cocaine 9. 26-year-old James Mosely, Jr. - robbery, sale of cocaine, presenting false cocaine in state 10. 23-year-old George Todd – attempt to pass counterfeit 11. 39-year-old Dedrick Ivery - possession of controlled substance; child abuse; firearm enhancement; felon possession of firearm in the proximity to school/church 12. 28-year-old Antonio Johnson - possession controlled substance with intent 13. 25-year-old Xavier Hooks - possession gun felon; possession of a stolen gun 14. 37-year-old Kevin Windfield - sale of a controlled substance 15. 38-year-old Elgin Lamar - possession controlled substance (x2); Possession controlled substance with intent, child endangerment (x2) 16. 20-year-old Deon Smith – passing counterfeit 17. 40-year-old Stanley Coleman - sell of cocaine (x4)
An FBI spokesperson says the arrests are not directly related to the brutal murder of Jessica Chambers but is a byproduct of the investigation. Officials say that during the investigation, they heard reports of suspected illegal activity from the community.
19-year-old Chambers was found, burning alive, next to her car on December 6, 2014 in Courtland. During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that someone had doused her and her car with gasoline and set her on fire.
First responders rushed her to the hospital where she later died.
We are following this developing story and will keep you updated.