by Hunter Dawkins, Owner/Publisher – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm

BILOXI (GG) — Defendant Andrew McCormick of Biloxi, Mississippi was found guilty last week on two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent by a Harrison County Jury following a three-day trial. The jury deliberated for approximately two hours before returning the verdict. Circuit Court Judge Lisa P. Dodson presided over the trial.  

The jury heard that on November 10, 2021, the Biloxi Police Department stopped a vehicle for speeding in the area of Caillavet and Division Streets. After making contact with McCormick, the driver, the police officer smelled the odor of Marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officer asked McCormick to exit the vehicle, but he refused and demanded a supervisor.

Once the supervisor arrived, the officer had McCormick exit the vehicle and took him into custody for failure to comply. McCormick was then searched for his arrest, where officers located drugs inside McCormick’s underwear that consisted of Crack Cocaine, Marijuana, and 12 individual bags of Spice that were packaged in bags with a distinctive 8 Ball logo.  Then, the law enforcement searched McCormick’s vehicle and recovered additional unused bags identical to the ones found in his underwear as well as bags with a distinctive red bulldog logo.

An expert at the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory testified that the Crack Cocaine totaled approximately 8 grams and that the Spice totaled approximately 10 grams. 

Sgt. Robert Dronet of the Biloxi Police Department (a narcotics expert) testified that the quantity of the drugs (the crack cocaine) consisted of 40 individual dosage units and the overall packaging of the drugs were consistent with the intent to transfer or distribute the drugs. Sgt. Dronet testified as to the street value of the drugs located on McCormick as well as how those drugs are measured and sold.  

“The Biloxi Police Department Officer demonstrated exceptional professionalism during this traffic stop, recognizing the smell of Marijuana, and conducting a thorough investigation by following up  on that. His diligence led to the recovery of dangerous and illegal drugs packaged and prepared to be sold to the community,” said Assistant District Attorney Billy Stage, who prosecuted the case with Meaghan Smith. 

“This was a perfect example of the Biloxi Police Department’s complete investigation and then Sgt. Dronet provided clear, credible testimony that helped the Jury understand the realities of street-level drug sales, including how drugs are packaged and sold. His professionalism was instrumental in ensuring this defendant was held accountable for his actions,” said District Attorney W. Crosby Parker. 

McCormick was prosecuted as an enhanced, habitual offender based on his prior felony convictions.  Sentencing orders were presented that showed that McCormick had prior convictions for Grand Larceny,  Escape, and Possession of Controlled Substance.

Mississippi Department of Corrections records indicated that McCormick previously served a 20-year sentence, was released in June 2020, and was arrested for these current crimes in November 2021. Sentencing was deferred to March 19, 2026, where the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 40 years day-for-day for Possession of the Crack Cocaine and  6 years day-for-day for Possession of the Spice.