MS Coast man accused in carjacking of Uber driver sentenced to prison in drug trafficking case
A Mississippi Coast man is headed to prison for 35 years after his conviction for trafficking drugs in South Mississippi, according to District Attorney Crosby Parker.
Judge Randi Mueller on Monday sentenced Regio Darrell Lavant, 37, of Moss Point, after a jury convicted him of aggravated trafficking of the controlled substance, methamphetamine. Lavant was caught with nearly a kilo of meth in his backpack.
A jury convicted Lavont of the crime in March.
“I certainly know from being in this courtroom that meth destroys families, friendships, communities (and) economies,” Mueller said. “It contributes to homelessness and neglected children in our communities. I can’t count how many times I have heard a defendant tell me that their addiction to meth or some other drug, but mostly meth, contributed to their decision to commit other crimes.
“Methamphetamine undoubtedly destroys lives,” Muller said.
Harrison County sheriff’s deputies made the arrest after stopping a vehicle for careless driving on Oct. 27, 2019, on Interstate 10 in Pass Christian. Lavant was a passenger in the car.
After a deputy smelled marijuana in the car, deputies searched the vehicle and found nearly a kilo of methamphetamine in Lavant’s backpack in the car.
During the trial, witnesses said Lavant had gone to Houston, Texas, to pick up the drugs and was headed back to the Mississippi Coast to sell them at the time of his arrest.
Assistant district attorneys Katherine Gargiulo and Jasmine Magee prosecuted the case.
“I want to thank our Harrison County Sheriff’s Office for their vigilance and for being proactive in keeping our community safe,” Harrison County District Attorney Crosby Parker said. “Methamphetamine is one of the most addictive drugs plaguing our communities. The sentence handed down by Judge Mueller reflects that seriousness. “
Lavant will serve the 35-year sentence without the possibility of early release or parole.
Prior to his conviction, Lavont had been arrested in a serious of other alleged crimes, including a carjacking in November of an Uber driver.
