Moss Point couple admit role in Jackson County drug-trafficking trade

GULFPORT -- A Moss Point man and his wife have pleaded guilty to federal charges in a drug-trafficking case in Jackson County, according to federal court records.

Melvin Eugene Summers, 36, accepted a plea agreement to federal charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and unlawful transport of firearms. His wife, Alicia Yvette Graves, 29, of Moss Point, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy and providing false information to obtain a firearm. They entered the pleas late last week and have a April 1 sentencing date.

Authorities first arrested Summers after he was in possession of crack cocaine in Jackson County on March 28, 2012.

A grand jury indicted Summers, a felon, on multiple counts in the crack cocaine case to include conspiracy and firearms charges. He later accepted a plea to a charge of possession with intent to distribute crack in that case and has January sentencing date.

Court records say Summers carried a submachine gun when he dealt cocaine in Jackson County beginning in March 2012.

A subsequent indictment charged Summers and his wife with conspiracy to distribute less than 50 kilos of marijuana in Jackson County from April 18 through April 23, and also alleged Summers used a firearm while dealing in marijuana.

Graves admitted buying a firearm at a Pascagoula Pawn and & Gun Shop/Pawn Mart II on April 15. She claimed, records say, she was buying the gun for herself when it was for her husband instead.

Summers is facing a total of more than 30 years in prison for his crimes, with Graves facing up to 10 years in prison for her crimes.

Graves remains free on bond pending sentencing.

Summers is jailed in Pearl River County pending sentencing.

This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 7:56 PM with the headline "Moss Point couple admit role in Jackson County drug-trafficking trade ."