Drug dealer sentenced to 25 years

A Canton man was sentenced to 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole after he pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges in mid-May, according to Madison County District Attorney John K. “Bubba” Bramlett, Jr.

Daryl Alexander, 41, of Canton pleaded guilty to trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in fentanyl, and possession of tetrahydrocannabinol with intent to distribute, Bramlett had announced on Monday, May 16. 

Alexander was sentenced by Judge Steve Ratcliff that same day to serve 25 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections without the possibility of early release or parole. 

Alexander previously served time in 2003 for a manslaughter conviction and in 2013 for a possession of marijuana conviction. 

Alexander’s co-defendant Sharmica L. Rushing has an active warrant and is currently on the run, the authorities said.

Any information leading to her whereabouts should be turned over to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Bramlett said. 

The charges stem from an incident reported on April 1, 2020, when a deputy with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office made a traffic stop on I-55 north in Madison County. 

The driver, identified as Alexander, was on his way to Canton. When the driver and passenger in the vehicle gave conflicting stories, the deputy used his canine to search the vehicle, resulting in finding the narcotics. 

Deputies located over 2,000 methamphetamine pills, one kilogram of methamphetamine, a half-pound of marijuana, and 28 grams of cocaine.

As a result of a follow-up investigation to the traffic stop, deputies with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on James Street in Canton on June 19. During the search, deputies discovered over 60 bags of cocaine packaged for sale, multiple edibles, marijuana, 382 Fentanyl pills, digital scales, a money counter, and several firearms. 

Alexander was located outside of the residence when the search warrant was executed.

Bramlett said Alexander was indicted for multiple drug charges including trafficking of methamphetamine, trafficking of fentanyl, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of tetrahydrocannabinol, and conspiracy charges.

When Alexander failed to appear in court on March 9, 2021, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. 

He fled to Texas but was picked up on March 4 of this year and transported back to Mississippi.