Coast drug dealer had storage units filled with spice, hydrocodone, guns and more

A Coast man known in Gulfport as “Karate Mike” was sentenced to more than a dozen years in prison for drug trafficking, meth and hydrocodone possession and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Michael Fitzgerald Thomas Jr., 51, was sentenced to 13 years by Circuit Court Judge Chris Schmidt. As a habitual offender, he’ll have to serve the time day-for-day, meaning he is not eligible for early release.

The case began when Gulfport police received a tip that Thomas, nicknamed “Karate Mike,” had been selling spice throughout the city. Police obtained search warrants on several storage units that were rented out by Thomas.

“In those storage units, police located a large amount of spice, approximately one dozen guns, along with methamphetamine and hydrocodone,” said Assistant District Attorney Ian Baker, who prosecuted the case along with ADA Jasmine Magee.

After his arrest, District Attorney Crosby Parker said in a press release, Thomas, of Gulfport, admitted to being in the business of selling narcotics in a recorded statement.

The jury deliberated for less than an hour before finding Thomas guilty on all counts. He was prosecuted as a habitual offender because of prior felony convictions of child abuse and conspiracy withh intent to sell crack cocaine.