A Lincoln County man has been convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, trafficking of fentanyl (more than 40 dosage units), and aggravated trafficking of methamphetamine (more than 200 grams).

Forty-year-old Erik Flountez Gardner, of Mallalieu Drive, was found guilty by jury of the offenses Wednesday, Feb. 5, in Lincoln County Circuit Court. The case stemmed from a law enforcement detail in Brookhaven involving officers from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Brookhaven Police Department, and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. A weekend traffic stop in April 2023 and subsequent search of Gardner’s vehicle resulted in the seizure of the illegal narcotics.

“We will not tolerate drug dealers that continue to bring this poison into our communities,” said District Attorney Brendon Adams. “The Office of the District Attorney is drawing a line in the sand. Those that bring these illegal narcotics into our community and distribute to our people will be dealt with harshly. I want to thank the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and other law enforcement agencies for their tireless effort in combating the war on illegal narcotics.”

Judge David Strong sentenced Gardner to 65 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, to serve the first 55 years day-for-day. A day-for-day sentence does not carry the possibility of parole.

“This type of behavior will not be tolerated. This sentence should serve as a deterrent to anyone thinking of selling illegal narcotics in our community. We consider the safety of our families, schools, churches and law enforcement to be top priority,” said Adams. “I have said it before and will say it again. For those wanting to come set up a criminal enterprise in our communities, we will work to make this a hostile working environment for you.”