The last of nine Warren County people accused of operating a drug enterprise here last summer was convicted in federal court in Natchez Thursday.

Found guilty by a jury, John Dillard, 61, the only co-defendant to request a trial, will be sentenced June 3 for conspiracy to distribute cocaine and two counts of sale of cocaine. Dillard faces a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

Vicksburg Police Lt. Bobby Stewart was one of three local officers who traveled to Natchez to testify.

“We’re very pleased,” Stewart said after the verdict. “We definitely want these tough actions by the court to show others out there that these crimes won’t be tolerated.”

Dillard joins Michael Tyler, 35, Kenny Tyler, 35, Christopher Shaun Walker, 29, Tommie Shepherd, 46, Larry Jones, 31, Keafur Wallace, 25, Cadie Mae Bunch, 28, and Charles Price, 53. All nine, most of whom had previous felony drug trafficking convictions, were arrested as part of the same sweep in June. The arrests, based on warrants, were made by Vicksburg police, Warren County deputies, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents, Drug Enforcement Administration High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area agents, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, U.S. Marshals and the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol.

In serving the arrest warrants, agents seized three kilograms of cocaine, weapons, more than $100,000 in cash, and also successfully traced the drug source to a Dallas supplier.

“This investigation showed a great working relationship between a number of agencies,” Stewart added Thursday. “And we’re going to continue tapping into every resource possible to stop the drugs in our community.”

Authorities estimated the group was selling more than 8 kilos, or 17.6 pounds, of crack cocaine in Vicksburg each month.

Just last week, Michael Tyler, described as the group’s leader, received a 24-year sentence from U.S. District Judge David Bramlette. Tyler had pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Others who have been sentenced are Walker, Shepherd and Jones. All three pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute and were sentenced by Bramlette to serve five years in prison. They faced potential sentences of 20 years.

Wallace, Bunch and Kenny Tyler, brother of Michael, are to be sentenced March 18. All three, like Michael Tyler, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Price, also convicted of the conspiracy charge, is to be sentenced April 17.