Jackson, Miss – Anthony Watson, 26, and Joshua Martin, 25, both of Jackson, were sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves for using a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.
Watson was sentenced to just over 27 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release and Martin was sentenced to 28 years in prison followed by 5 years of supervised release. The defendants were also ordered to pay $14,438.28 in restitution and a $1,500.00 fine, according to the Department of Justice.
The two men previously pleaded guilty.
Watson and Martin admitted to killing Sharod Vaughn, 22, of Jackson, during the early morning hours of August 13, 2013.
Vaughn died of multiple gunshot wounds from the SKS rifle and .45 caliber pistol used by the defendants. The defendants were meeting with Vaughn to exchange the firearms for marijuana when the shooting occurred.
The investigation was led by Special Agent Ray Connor, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with the assistance of the Jackson Police Department.
