Texas convict ran Gulfport drug ring from prison. Here’s how, and his new sentence
A Gulfport convict who orchestrated fentanyl trafficking from a federal prison in Beaumont, Texas, arranged drug shipments from Mexico, and later tried to intimidate witnesses is headed to prison for life, plus an additional 25 years, according to records filed in the case.
Following a three-day trial earlier this year, a federal jury in Gulfport convicted Marcus Agee of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. He later pleaded guilty to an additional federal charge for witness tampering.
According to federal prosecutors, Agee operated the drug-trafficking conspiracy from a federal prison in Beaumont, Texas, using a burner phone to coordinate fentanyl shipments from traffickers in Mexico and elsewhere.
To carry out the crime, he arranged the purchase and sale of the drugs through messaging applications, text messages, and video calls on the burner phone.
As part of the scheme, Agee directed the dealers to ship the fentanyl to his Gulfport stash house, where the drugs were hidden behind an air-conditioning vent. Two co-conspirators handled drug sales on his behalf.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized more than 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl — more than 5½ pounds — shipped to the Mississippi home. Authorities ultimately determined Agee was responsible for distributing more than 4 kilograms of fentanyl, nearly 9 pounds of the drug.
The investigation began after a traffic stop involving one of the drug couriers in January 2025 that ultimately resulted in the seizure of nearly 2 pounds of fentanyl and 15,556 fentanyl-laced pressed pills hidden behind an air-conditioning vent at the stash house.
In addition to Agee, authorities arrested two Gulfport co-defendants: Jermiya Spears, who lived at the 23rd Street stash house, and Marcus "JayBird" Taneal Lloyd, who served as a drug courier. Both Spears and Lloyd later pleaded guilty.
Spears is currently serving over 4 1/2 years in prison for her involvement in the crime, while Lloyd is serving over 11 1/2 years in prison for his role in the drug-trafficking ring.
Federal authorities said Agee headed up the drug-trafficking ring and instructed his co-conspirators to sell the drugs and then send the proceeds to him or stash the cash somewhere.
Shortly before Agee’s trial, prosecutors charged him with another felony crime, this time for conspiracy to commit witness tampering.
That charge came after investigators recovered recordings of jail calls in which he discussed persuading witnesses to change testimony implicating him in the drug-trafficking operation. Agee pleaded guilty to that charge.
"We will continue to aggressively pursue those traffickers who flood our communities with poison," U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger said. "I commend our prosecutors and law enforcement partners for their life-saving work and continued commitment to this effort."
Gulfport police, Harrison County sheriff’s deputies, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Prisons investigated the case.
After the sentence was handed down, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Anessa Daniels-McCaw commended prosecutors and law enforcement for their “life-saving work” and continued efforts to fight drug-trafficking.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hunter McCreight and Jonathan Buckner prosecuted the case.
