Months-long investigation leads to seizure of guns, drugs; Vicksburg man arrested on array of charges

A Vicksburg man is behind bars and facing a litany of charges after a months-long investigation led to the seizure of drugs and firearms earlier this week.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said a joint effort between the Warren County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and the Vicksburg Police Department (VPD) ended Tuesday morning with the arrest of 34-year-old Kory Kevin Grayer.

“About 8 a.m. (Tuesday), units from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, led by Narcotics Investigator Jeff Merritt, served a search warrant at an apartment complex at 780 Highway 61 North,” Pace said. “Units from Warren County Sheriff’s Office Investigations, Uniformed Patrol Division, Warren County Sheriff’s Office K-9, as well as Vicksburg Police narcotics and Vicksburg Police K-9, served the search warrant.”

Pace said an arrest warrant for Grayer, as well as a search warrant for the premises, was executed.

“This was the result of a several-months-long investigation, during which time undercover sales of methamphetamine had been made,” Pace said, adding Grayer also had outstanding warrants with Vicksburg Police Department and the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) for sale of controlled substances and absconding probation, respectively.

Pace said the search of the residence yielded approximately 1 ounce of cocaine; 3 ounces of methamphetamine; approximately 5 1/2 pounds of high-grade marijuana; more than 1,400 MDMA pills (commonly referred to as Ecstasy); seven firearms, including one confirmed to be stolen; and approximately $600 cash.

Grayer was charged by WCSO with sale of methamphetamine; trafficking cocaine; trafficking methamphetamine; trafficking MDMA; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of a stolen firearm; and seven counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Pace said detainers have been placed on Grayer by both VPD and MDOC for the previously issued warrants. Pace said Grayer will make his initial court appearance in Warren County Court either Wednesday afternoon or Thursday, depending on court availability, but is currently being held without bond in the Warren County Jail.

Pace said the arrest is not only the result of a long investigation, but is also a testament to what can be accomplished when area agencies work together.

“This was a very seamless investigation that involved more than one agency,” he said. “This was run by the sheriff’s office and Investigator Merritt, but Vicksburg Police Department Narcotics Investigator Lt. Donnie Heggins worked closely with Investigator Merritt. This individual had been distributing narcotics to both city and county citizens, and the cooperative effort between both agencies has resulted in this significant arrest to not only remove narcotics off the street, but to also remove firearms from a convicted felon that, by law, cannot possess them.”