Homeland Security Task Force Operation Concludes with 19th Defendant Pleading Guilty

GREENVILLE, MS - Harold Cook, 55, of Fort Worth, Texas, pleaded guilty today after a federal jury was selected. This concludes a major Homeland Security Task Force operation involving 19 defendants, more than 25 kilograms of cocaine and $150,000 in drug proceeds and multiple vehicles seized.

According to court documents, Harold Cook and his co-defendants were charged in an indictment including cocaine conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession with intent to distribute cocaine. His co-defendants include:

• Roy Ramirez (sentenced to 54 months, 3 years supervised release)
• Juan Carlos Mercado (sentenced to 46 months, 3 years supervised release)
• Javier Cardenas (sentenced to 54 months, 3 years supervised release)
• Thalmus Pace (sentenced to 60 months, 3 years supervised release)
• Willie B. Hayes (awaiting sentencing)
• Christopher Lomax (awaiting sentencing)
• Michael Hughes (awaiting sentencing)
• Derek Mosley (awaiting sentencing)
• Edyee Rascon-Mendoza (sentenced to 20 months, 3 years supervised release)
• Vinton Maclin (sentenced to 20 months, 3 years supervised release)
• Alyrone Green (awaiting sentencing)
• Jerry Moody (awaiting sentencing)
• Andre Rawls (sentenced to 110 months, 3 years supervised release)
• Marvin Hilliard (sentenced to 20 months, 3 years supervised release)
• Orlando McKinney (sentenced to 18 months, 3 years supervised release)
• Dewayne Smith (sentenced to 120 months, 3 years supervised release)

Harold Cook will be sentenced at a later date by Chief United States District Judge Debra M. Brown. Cook was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals following his plea of guilty.

U.S. Attorney Scott F. Leary stated, "We are all aware of the devastation that drug trafficking and violent gangs have visited on our communities. Liberating neighborhoods from the scourge of violent crime is not only a national priority, it is the top priority for the Northern District of Mississippi. The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative was established by Executive Order in 2025. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, human smuggling and drug trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. This HSTF investigation typifies the interagency collaboration envisioned by our law enforcement community. State and Federal agents, working together, convicted over a dozen defendants and seized over 25 kilograms of cocaine. By dismantling this drug trafficking organization, hundreds of pounds of drugs will be taken off our streets and lives will be saved. Awesome job by the Desoto County Sheriff's Department, without your help this case would not have been possible. Likewise, DEA-Oxford, Mississippi worked closely with DEA-El Paso, DEA-Fairview Heights (Illinois) and the United States Marshal's Service to bring this case home. Well done all!"

"This operation is a testament to what we can achieve when federal, state, and local law enforcement stand together as a united front," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer. "We are sending a clear message that criminal organizations have no place in Mississippi. Through the HSTF, we will continue to use every resource available to protect our citizens and uphold the rule of law across the Northern District."

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sam Stringfellow and Julie Addison.