(WINSTON COUNTY) Federal and local authorities say a Winston County man named Castro, arrested on felony drug charges in July, now faces possible deportation because of his immigration status. The arrest is part of the FBI’s nationwide crackdown on drug‑related violent crime known as Operation Summer Heat, which brought ten arrests in Winston County, Mississippi, on July 24, 2025, after a multi‑year investigation into methamphetamine and fentanyl distribution and related gun offenses.
According to the FBI and the Winston County Sheriff’s Office, the suspects were charged under federal warrants tied to the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force’s Mississippi Multi‑District Takedown. Officials said the case focuses on violent crime and drug trafficking in the Louisville area from January 2021 through June 2025. One suspect, Quinton McWilliams, remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
Federal operation, participants, and charges
The FBI Jackson Field Office led the arrests with support from multiple federal and local partners, including:
- U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi
- U.S. Marshals Service
- Winston County Sheriff’s Office
- Louisville and Starkville Police Departments
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Agents executed search and arrest warrants across Winston County in coordinated early‑morning actions.
Charges include:
- Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl
- Drug trafficking
- Money laundering
- Federal gun law violations, such as felony firearm possession
Arrests: July 24, 2025. The FBI said the investigation began after a rise in overdoses and gun violence. Although violent crime has fallen in parts of Mississippi, Special Agent in Charge Robert Eickhoff said communities like Winston County still face serious threats from drug networks.
Acting U.S. Attorney Clay Joiner said federal prosecutors remain focused on dismantling violent gangs and bringing repeat offenders into court. His office signaled more arrests and indictments could follow as Operation Summer Heat cases move through federal court.
Officials urged caution and asked anyone with information on Quinton McWilliams to contact the FBI. He faces counts tied to trafficking, money laundering, and guns, and should be considered dangerous.
Immigration consequences tied to criminal cases
For non‑citizens like Castro, drug felonies can trigger immigration consequences beyond the criminal case. The sheriff’s office said Castro now faces potential removal from the United States, raising the stakes for his defense.
- In many cases, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issues a detainer so that, after the criminal process, the person is transferred to immigration custody for deportation proceedings before an immigration judge.
- Federal law treats many drug offenses—especially distribution and trafficking—as deportable crimes and, in some situations, as aggravated felonies. That label can limit relief from removal and may lead to automatic detention during the case.
Outcomes depend on:
- The exact conviction and sentence
- The person’s immigration history (prior entries, past visas, earlier removal orders)
ICE typically starts a removal case by serving a formal charging document called a Notice to Appear, which lists the immigration charges. The case then moves to the immigration court system run by the Executive Office for Immigration Review, where a judge decides whether the person can stay or must be removed.
Official information about immigration courts is available on the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review website: https://www.justice.gov/eoir.
Common immediate actions in removal proceedings
People in removal proceedings often take quick steps to protect their case. Two common actions are:
- Hire counsel — an attorney can file a Form G‑28 (Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: https://www.uscis.gov/g-28
- Update addresses — ensure court notices arrive on time; USCIS uses Form AR‑11: https://www.uscis.gov/ar-11
Missing a hearing can lead to an automatic removal order.
In practice, criminal custody usually comes first. Many defendants remain in local or federal custody until they resolve the charges or receive a sentence. Only after that do most immigration cases begin in earnest, when ICE takes custody or lodges a detainer.
Defense lawyers often coordinate across the criminal and immigration systems because a plea in criminal court can determine whether a person is deportable or barred from many forms of relief.
Community impact and cautions
For families in Winston County, these arrests mean sudden separations, lost income, and deep worry about court dates. Rent, childcare, and school plans can change overnight when a parent is jailed or moved to ICE custody.
Faith groups and community clinics often step in to help with:
- Rides to hearings
- Help with paperwork
- Referrals to licensed attorneys
People should beware of notarios or unlicensed advisors who promise fast results but take money and give wrong advice.
What comes next in Operation Summer Heat
The FBI says Operation Summer Heat will continue through the year, with more leads pursued and more warrants executed as evidence develops. The July takedown in Winston County followed a four‑and‑a‑half‑year investigation spanning January 2021 to June 2025 under the OCDETF program.
As cases move to federal court:
- Prosecutors could add charges or seek plea deals
- The search for Quinton McWilliams continues; authorities urge the public to call the FBI with tips and avoid contact
Some non‑citizens arrested in these cases may be held without the chance to post an immigration bond, while others may ask an immigration judge for bond after ICE sets or denies it. Eligibility depends on criminal history, specific charges, and flight‑risk or danger findings.
If placed in removal, a person can seek relief they qualify for, such as cancellation of removal or family‑based options, but drug trafficking convictions generally narrow those paths.
Practical steps recommended by community advocates
Community advocates in Mississippi recommend the following actions for families when a loved one is in custody:
- Keep copies of all court papers and booking numbers
- Update addresses with USCIS and the immigration court to receive hearing notices
- Call licensed attorneys and ask about criminal‑immigration overlap before accepting any plea
These steps cannot change the charges, but they reduce avoidable mistakes that lead to missed hearings or lost contact with counsel.
Officials say more arrests are possible as agents follow new leads this week.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
On July 24, 2025, ten suspects were arrested in Winston County during a multi‑year OCDETF probe into meth and fentanyl trafficking. One suspect is outstanding. Non‑citizen Castro now faces potential deportation as cases move into federal criminal and immigration processes.
