A Poplarville resident was sentenced last week after pleading guilty to conspiring to posses 50 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

According to the Sun Herald, Steven Gentry, 34, of Poplarville was sentenced in federal court Wednesday to 82 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release and a $5,000 fine.

According to court documents, the DEA High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics began an investigation on Gentry after receiving information from a reliable confidential source in March 2013.

The confidential informant told agents that Gentry was a major supplier of large quantities of crystal methamphetamine in Pearl River and Hancock Counties via commercial trucks, court documents stated.

On June 21, 2013, a confidential informant purchased 14 grams of crystal methamphetamine from Gentry. Court documents stated that during the purchase, Gentry was armed with a .380 caliber pistol and an AK-47 rifle.

On July 24, 2013, another confidential informant purchased 30 grams of crystal methamphetamine from Gentry, who was once again armed with an AK-47, court documents stated.

According to court documents, confidential informants also purchased five grams and 28 grams of crystal methamphetamine from Gentry on Aug. 28 and Sept. 6, 2013, respectively.

Gentry was arrested on Sept. 13, 2013, court documents stated.

Current and past politicians in Pearl River County wrote letters to U.S. District Judge Sul Ozerden, the judge presiding over Gentry’s case, asking for compassion when sentencing.

According to court documents, Pearl River County Supervisor Anthony Hales, Chancery Court Clerk David Earl Johnson, Mississippi State Senator Tony Smith and Mississippi Representative Herb Frierson all wrote letters asking the judge for consideration of compassion in Gentry’s case.

Former Pearl River County Sheriff Lawrence Holliday, Board of Supervisor Secretary Cindy Lee and former Poplarville School District Superintendent Gylde Fitzpatrick also wrote letters on Gentry’s behalf, court documents stated.