Houston man sentenced in Mobile for his role in drug distribution ring

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – A Houston man has been sentenced in federal court in Mobile for his role in a drug distribution organization.

On Oct. 22, Michael Dewayne McDaniel was sentenced to nearly nine years in prison for his involvement in a drug distribution organization led by Darrin Southall, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Alabama said Tuesday.

McDaniel pleaded guilty in July to two counts of conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute.

According to court documents, McDaniel, known as “Money,” met with couriers traveling from Mobile to Houston to pay for Southhall's drug shipments. The couriers would then take the drugs to Mobile for distribution.

McDaniel collected and counted the drug money and made sure the drug shipments were hidden in the vehicles used to drive them from Houston to Mobile.

U.S. District Court Judge Kristi K. Dubose imposed a sentence of 105 months in prison on each of the two counts. The sentences will run simultaneously. He will then be sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and must undergo drug testing and treatment and be searched if there is reasonable suspicion that he has violated the conditions of his release.

In 2022, Southall pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to his drug distribution ring and was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison.

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