Federal authorities have taken a Columbus Middle School educator into custody after a grand jury indicted the teacher on charges of aiding a methamphetamine ring.
Paul Jackson, who is listed as “lead eighth grade teacher” on the Columbus Municipal School District’s website, was arrested Tuesday morning. His arrest carried out by agents with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Marshals Service, according to Jeff Woodfin, chief deputy with U.S. Marshals Service, Northern District.
Superintendent Philip Hickman told The Dispatch Jackson was arrested in a “discreet manner” at the school’s Highway 373 campus. Hickman added that Jackson has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Jackson is one of 14 people named in an 11-count federal indictment. The indictment is dated Dec. 11, 2015. It was unsealed Tuesday.
It alleges the suspects established a “methamphetamine distribution network” that stretched from California to Mississippi and involved corresponding with drug traffickers and arranging purchases and shipments of the drug.
Jackson’s specific role, according to court documents, was to deposit money via deposit slips into “funnel” accounts. Four specific deposits totaled almost $20,000, authorities say.
Jackson, whose nickname within the group was “Wall,” made his initial appearance in federal court Tuesday in Aberdeen. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
He remains in custody.
Authorities say four firearms, a 2010 Nissan Maxima and about $12,500 were seized as a result of the investigation.
The other suspects named in the indictment were Jennifer Criddle of Houston; Deanta Ewing and Terry Lynn McKinney, both of Vardaman; Robert Bailey and Trent Montgomery, both of Ecru; Contessa Gates of Eupora; Christopher McKinney of Pheba; Christopher Graham, Morickus Davidson and George Fields, all of Una; Akida Williams, of Fresno, California; and two suspects whose names were redacted from the indictment.
The case was investigated by agents from the DEA and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. Other agencies who provided assistance include the U.S. Marshal Service, and sheriff’s departments in Clay, Chickasaw, Calhoun, Webster and Pontotoc counties, as well as the Houston Police Department, Pontotoc Police Department and the Calhoun City Police Department.
Sam Luvisi is news editor and covers education for The Dispatch.
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