A Picayune man was sentenced to 52 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

35-year-old Justin Paul Berry, Jr., was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Gulfport.

According to court records, in 2015, an investigation began into a large-scale drug trafficking organization (DTO), located largely in Picayune, MS (Pearl River County).  In 2018, Justin Paul Berry, Jr. was identified as being part of the conspiracy.  Federal Agents determined that Berry was responsible for the exchange of narcotics and currency in furtherance of the large-scale drug trafficking organization.

Berry pled guilty on June 21, 2023 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose.