Three defendants sentenced to federal prison in Prentiss County drug cases

BOONEVILLE, Miss. — Three defendants were sentenced to 10 or more years in prison in Prentiss County Circuit Court, following guilty pleas on separate drug charges, according to the First Circuit Court District.

Circuit Court Judge Michael P. Mills Jr. sentenced William Kelly Rhodes and Vanessa Gracia to 10 years each for trafficking heroin. The sentences are to be served day for day, with no eligibility for parole or early release. Both will face five years of post-release supervision after serving their sentences.

The convictions stem from a search warrant executed at a residence on County Road 1361 in Rienzi. Law enforcement officials recovered more than 1,500 grams of heroin, along with smaller quantities of methamphetamine, marijuana, and psilocybin. The investigation involved the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, along with deputies from the Prentiss and Tishomingo county sheriff’s departments.

Antonio Vasser pleaded guilty on Jan. 13 to being a felon in possession of a firearm and selling methamphetamine. Judge Mills sentenced Vasser to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of post-release supervision. His convictions resulted from separate investigations conducted by the Prentiss County Sheriff’s Department, the Mississippi Highway Patrol, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. All 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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