United States Attorney David Metcalf announced on Apr. 2 that Jimmy King, Jermaine King, and Mahmud Sheppard, all of Philadelphia, have been charged by superseding indictment with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and firearms offenses.
The charges are significant because they allege the three men operated a drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing over 500 pounds of methamphetamine throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding region between January 2024 and July 2025.
According to the indictment, Jimmy King allegedly traveled to California to obtain bulk quantities of methamphetamine. He then shipped these drugs back to Philadelphia using fake names and addresses. Jermaine King and Sheppard reportedly assisted in diverting these packages before distributing the drugs to customers.
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents surveilled the group for several months as they obtained and distributed methamphetamine. On July 23, 2025, agents executed a search warrant at Jimmy King’s residence where they found approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine and two firearms.
If convicted on all charges, each defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of life in prison. The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Lauren Stram and Christopher E. Parisi.
This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159. The initiative focuses on eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, as well as human smuggling and trafficking rings operating within the United States or abroad. HSTF Philadelphia includes agents from agencies such as FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF with prosecution led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office reminds that “the charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.”
