On Friday, December 2, 2022, narcotics agents with the Jones County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at a residence off of Houston Road in northern Jones County.

The target of the search warrant was Patrick Francis. During the search of his residence, JCSD narcotics agents located marijuana, digital scales, packaging material, and approximately 106 dosage units of oxycodone, which narcotics agents believe will test positive for fentanyl after returning from testing at the Mississippi State Crime Laboratory.

Narcotics agents also located five different weapons in the house of various types and recovered a Polaris ATV that was stolen out of Harrison County. Francis was charged with trafficking of a controlled substance while in possession of a firearm. Any charges stemming from the stolen ATV will be handled by Harrison County authorities.

Patrick Francis had his initial appearance on Sunday, 12-4-2022 at 2:00pm and Jones County Justice Court Judge David Lyons set his bond at $50,000. Francis bonded out on the charge at 4:31pm the same day.

JCSD also seized currency and a car from Francis.

Jones County Sheriff Joe Berlin notes, “We have made it abundantly clear to the drug dealers in Jones County that we are coming after you. Day or night, you never know when we are going to show up. Best bet is to change your ways and quit selling illegal narcotics, unless of course you enjoy being arrested.”