GREENVILLE — A former Greenwood police officer pleaded guilty Friday to federal charges connected to drug trafficking in Mississippi’s Delta region. Jamario Sanford, 38, admitted to transportation and distribution of cocaine across Leflore, Sunflower, and Washington counties, as well as conspiracy charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.
Sanford was indicted for accepting a $5,000 bribe from an FBI agent posing as a Mexican drug cartel member in June 2022. The bribe was in exchange for protection of illegal drug shipments. He also received an additional $7,800 in bribes for future jobs. Charges related to firearm use during drug trafficking and aiding illegal drug transport were dropped as part of his plea agreement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
During a court hearing Friday, U.S. Chief Judge Debra M. Brown questioned Sanford about his health. Sanford, who walks with a cane, said he takes medications for nerve pain, anxiety, and depression. He also described emotional trauma from being shot in 2024 and a 2014 officer-involved shooting that he said caused him severe trauma. Sanford’s arrest on Oct. 30 also included charges of aiding and abetting illegal drug transport, alongside former Sunflower County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Marvin Flowers and Greenwood Police Officer Tyquana Rucker. Rucker’s charges were dropped due to exonerating evidence, the U.S. attorney’s office said.
Sanford’s sentencing is scheduled for May 27. Under federal guidelines, he faces between 10 years and life in prison and could be fined up to $10 million. He was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond after his arrest. Flowers is scheduled for trial April 20 in Greenville’s federal court.
The U.S. Department of Justice in October unsealed six indictments involving more than 14 current and former Mississippi law enforcement officers, including sheriffs and police chiefs, on drug trafficking charges. The indictments also included former highway patrolman Marquivius Bankhead and former state Department of Corrections guard Marcus Nolan. In a separate case, Sanford recruited Dequarian Smith, a former law enforcement officer, to protect illegal drug shipments. Smith pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy and accepting a $500 bribe.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
