Brandon Dax Freeman, repeat offender, sentenced to 11 years on drug charge

VICKSBURG, Miss.(VDN) — Brandon Dax Freeman, a repeat offender, was sentenced Friday to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty as a habitual offender to possession of a controlled substance.

Judge James Chaney ordered 11 years to serve and suspended five. Because of his habitual-offender status, Freeman must serve every day of the 11-year sentence.

Freeman, 58, presented several character witnesses, including his mother, who asked the court for leniency. Freeman also asked Chaney to place him in Drug Court, saying he has struggled with drug use since he was 12. Friends testified that he often allowed people to stay in his home because of his kindness. Freeman also told the court that his health is declining.

Assistant District Attorney Branan Southerland offered a different view, telling the court that Freeman’s criminal history dates back to a federal conviction in 1993. Southerland said Freeman has accumulated 11 charges since 2019, including receiving stolen property, and asked the judge to impose a 16-year sentence.

The charge stems from Freeman’s October 2025 arrest, when he was initially charged with possession of methamphetamine, sale of methamphetamine and possession of a weapon after a felony conviction. He later pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Jeff Merritt, who led the investigation, also testified in court.

After the sentence was handed down, Freeman addressed his mother and the judge.

“They just killed me, mama,” Freeman said. “You just killed me, Judge.”