A Pearl River woman pled guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute hydrocodone on the Choctaw Indian Reservation on Friday.
In June of 2021, a federal grand jury indicted Joyce Cauthen in a four-count indictment involving the possession and distribution of methamphetamine and hydrocodone on the Choctaw Indian Reservation. Cauthen entered a plea of guilty to count four of the indictment, which was possession with the intent to distribute hydrocodone.
According to court documents, tribal and federal investigators executed a search warrant on Cauthen’s home following the introduction of methamphetamine into the Choctaw Detention Center by an inmate.
During the search of her home, investigators recovered hydrocodone tablets and Cauthen’s cellular telephone, which revealed numerous text messages between Cauthen and other persons regarding the price and quantity of hydrocodone.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi is dedicated to fighting drug trafficking in Tribal and non-tribal communities,” said U.S. Attorney LaMarca.
Cauthen will be sentenced on May 19 at 9:00 a.m. and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
So far, four other co-defendants in this case have all pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
