Three defendants sentenced to prison in Prentiss County drug cases

BOONEVILLE, Miss. — Three defendants in Prentiss County were sentenced to 10 or more years in prison following guilty pleas in separate drug cases, prosecutors said.

On Jan. 12, William Kelly Rhodes and Vanessa Gracia each pleaded guilty to heroin trafficking. Circuit Court Judge Michael P. Mills Jr. sentenced both to 10 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The sentences are to be served day for day, with no eligibility for parole or early release. Both will also be required to complete five years of post-release supervision.

The convictions stemmed from a search warrant at a residence on County Road 1361 in Rienzi. Authorities recovered more than 1,500 grams of heroin, along with smaller amounts of methamphetamine, marijuana, and psilocybin. The investigation was led by the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and involved deputies from the Prentiss and Tishomingo County sheriff’s departments.

Antonio Vasser pleaded guilty on Jan. 13 to possession of a weapon by a felon and sale of methamphetamine. Judge Mills sentenced him to 15 years in prison. Vasser will also serve five years of post-release supervision. His case was linked to separate investigations conducted by the Prentiss County Sheriff’s Department, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.

All three cases were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kyle Robbins and Megan French on behalf of the state.

Jason D. Herring, district attorney for the First Circuit Court District, announced the sentences.

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