Lee County Circuit Court hands down narcotics sentences

Multiple narcotics sentences were issued in Lee County Circuit Court last week, according to a news release from the First Circuit Court District. All sentencing was conducted by Circuit Judge Kelly L. Mims.

David Lee Dunn, 44, was convicted by a Lee County jury on August 7, 2026, of selling methamphetamine. The state presented evidence that Dunn had prior convictions for strong-arm robbery and methamphetamine possession. Judge Mims sentenced him to the maximum of eight years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections, with no chance for parole or early release, citing his habitual offender status.

Roy Merritt, 45, pleaded guilty on August 5 to one count of sale of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to sell. Judge Mims sentenced him to 60 years in prison, with 28 years suspended. Merritt also was ordered to complete five years of post-release supervision.

Calvin Gates, 44, pleaded guilty on August 3 to the sale of methamphetamine. He received a 20-year sentence, with 10 years suspended, and five years of post-release supervision. The judge ordered this sentence to run consecutively to his current incarceration.

All cases were investigated by the North Mississippi Narcotics Unit. The District Attorney’s Office credited NMNU for its efforts to combat drug trafficking in Lee County. Assistant District Attorneys Megan French and Josh Wise prosecuted the cases, according to the release.

Jason D. Herring is the district attorney for the First Circuit Court District.

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