Dupree pleads to dealing meth
A Philadelphia man has pleaded guilty to federal charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces life in prison, the Justice Department announced.
Landon Marquale Dupree, 35, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Kristi H. Johnson to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Jack P. Stanton, Acting Special Agent in Charge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans.
Although Dupree had previously been convicted of selling cocaine in Neshoba County, he again sold and distributed drugs (methamphetamine) in Philadelphia on July 15, 2020, officials said.
Dupree is scheduled for sentencing on May 12, 2021, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and up to an $8 million fine.
This OCDETF operation is the result of an extensive investigation, dubbed “Operation Highlife,” which began as an operation targeting illegal narcotics distribution in central Mississippi that involved the distribution of methamphetamine. The distribution network encompasses the states of Texas and Mississippi.
The OCDETF program is a joint federal, state and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.
Dupree in 2002 as an 18-year-old was charged with the sale of cocaine. As recently as 2018 he was charged with felony pursuit, expired license tag, suspended driver's license, no insurance, possession of marijuana, vehicle, improper license tag- altered, possession of a controlled substance. He faced felony possession of a firearm in 2005. And in 2013 faced charges of conspiracy to commit murder.
He is the youngest son of Philadelphia High School football standout Marcus Dupree, a former American football player.
The case is part of a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, with assistance from Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Philadelphia Police Department, Neshoba County Sheriff’s Department, Neshoba County District Attorney’s Office, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Flowood Police Department, Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, Carthage Police Department, Union Police Department, Louisville Police Department, and MHP.