Traffic Stop in Pontotoc County Leads to 10-Year Sentence for Meth Trafficking

PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. – A traffic stop in Pontotoc County that escalated into a high-speed chase has resulted in a 10-year prison sentence for a man convicted of drug trafficking.

On Monday, August 11, 2025, Lazerick C. Travis pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamine in Lee County Circuit Court before Judge Michael P. Mills, Jr., just prior to jury selection. Judge Mills sentenced Travis to 10 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, followed by five years of post-release supervision. Under Mississippi law, he must serve the full sentence day for day, with no chance of parole or early release.

The incident began when Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper Phillip Mitchell conducted a traffic stop in Pontotoc County. The stop quickly escalated into a high-speed pursuit that ended in Lee County. The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics handled the drug investigation, with assistance from the Tupelo Police Department and the Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office.

District Attorney Jason D. Herring commended the teamwork of the agencies involved, noting their efforts were key to a “successful prosecution.” Assistant District Attorneys Josh Wise and Paul Gault prosecuted the case for the State of Mississippi.