A Mississippi man faces up to 20 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to having more than 12 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Danny Ray Cole, 46, of Laurel, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 12.46 grams of a substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

According to court records, Cole was captured on audio and video recordings distributing pills to a buyer. It was determined that the pills contained methamphetamine.

Cole will be sentenced on April 16, 2024.  He faces up to twenty years in prison. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Eric DeLaune of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans made the announcement.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Jones County Sheriff’s Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Allen is prosecuting the case.