Two high-level Columbus drug dealers have been indicted on federal drug charges. Antonio Brooks, 25, of 396 Swedenburg Circle and Steven Douglas Jennings, 41, of 163 Swedenburg Circle, have been indicted on two counts each of intent to sell or distribute narcotics and one count each of aiding and abetting. They were indicted April 25.

Brooks and Jennings were arrested in January by agents with the Columbus-Lowndes Metro Narcotics unit. They were arrested at the Sandfield One Stop on Highway 182 across from Propst Park. Officers allegedly found about five ounces of crack and powder cocaine with a value of approximately $14,000 in their possession. Both men had prior felony convictions. Court documents list the charges as a “level four offense.”

Jennings and Brooks were arraigned in US District Court in Aberdeen May 22 where they entered not guilty pleas. A federal arrest warrant was issued on May 25. They were arrested at the Monroe County Adult Detention Center later that day and were placed into the custody of the US Marshals for transport to Oxford. A trial date has been set for Monday, July 9. US Northern District Judge Michael Mills will preside over the hearing.

Capt. Bobby Grimes of Metro Narcotics said the decision to pursue the case in federal court was due in part to their prior arrests.

“We look at several factors when pursuing a federal charge,” Grimes said. “We look at prior criminal and arrest records. We also look at the amount of drugs and the type of drugs. These guys had about five ounces of cocaine and that is a substantial amount. Because of their prior convictions, we consider Brooks and Jennings to be habitual offenders. If they are found guilty in federal court, they will do a day-for-day sentence. If they are sentenced in the state, they will do about 1/6 of their sentence. These men were both on papers with the Mississippi Department of Corrections at the time of their arrests. We are trying to get more drug offenders charged in federal court because they will do more time.”

If convicted, Brooks and Jennings face no less than five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and/or a fine not to exceed $5 million.

Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.