Hattiesburg, Miss. – A former Hattiesburg resident was sentenced to 13 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
According to court records, in 2017, ATF agents learned that Donston Lamar Noel, 41, was selling narcotics and firearms in the Hattiesburg area. Agents conducted a sting operation netting several grams of cocaine and methamphetamine from Noel on July 27, 2017. Again, on September 7, 2017, agents obtained sold several dosage units of oxycodone and hydrocodone as well as a Palmetto State Armory PA-15, 5.56 mm caliber pistol from Noel.
Noel pleaded guilty on December 2, 2021, to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stan Harris prosecuted the case.
The case was prosecuted as part of the federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. The centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s crime reduction efforts, PSN is an evidence-based program proven effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together and develop comprehensive solutions. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.