A California man who pleaded guilty in February on a drug conspiracy charge will spend three decades in federal prison.

John Baxter, 36, of Hayward, California, was sentenced Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett to serve 360 months in federal prison, followed by 7 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst and Special Agent in Charge Brad L. Byerley with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Baxter was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine.

During the course of an investigation by the DEA, agents learned Baxter was the methamphetamine source of supply for Dexter Jones and his brother, Darrion Jones. Beginning as early as 2015, Baxter was responsible for supplying the Jones brothers with over 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine “ice.” On at least four occasions, Baxter utilized a courier to transport methamphetamine from California to Mississippi. Baxter was subsequently indicted for his role in the conspiracy along with the Jones brothers.

On February 21, 2019, Baxter pled guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The Jones brothers also pled guilty for their roles and were sentenced by Judge Starrett on September 6, 2018. Dexter Jones was sentenced to serve life in federal prison, while Darrion Jones was sentenced to serve 300 months in federal prison.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Lamar County Sheriff’s Department, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shundral H. Cole.