UPDATE: Biloxi Councilman Robert Deming makes federal court appearance to face drug charges
GULFPORT, Miss. (WLOX) - Biloxi City Councilman Robert Deming made his first appearance in federal court Friday morning.
Court documents show he’s charged with three felony charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and destruction, alteration or falsification of records in federal investigations.
Each of the three counts Deming is charged with carries a maximum penalty of the following:
- Not more than 20 years of imprisonment
- Not more than a $1 million fine
- At least three years supervised release
- $100 special assessment
The news comes after Deming’s homes and businesses were raided back in late January by the DEA under suspicions of drug trafficking and drug conspiracies. Following the raids, the government also asked for Deming’s assets to be forfeited, including more than $2 million in cash located during the raids.
RELATED: Biloxi councilman’s home, businesses raided by DEA agents
During the investigation, seven locations in Mississippi and two others in North Carolina, all owned by Deming, were searched by DEA agents following reports of illegal drug sales.
RELATED: Government asks Biloxi councilman to forfeit over $2 million in assets, court documents say
According to Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson, his deputies took Deming into custody without incident during a traffic stop Thursday afternoon on Pass Road. He was being held without bond at the Harrison County Adult Detention Center ahead of Friday morning’s court appearance.
Biloxi City Council President Nathan Barrett told WLOX News Friday that the council will be removing Deming as its vice-president.
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