CANTON, Miss. (WJTV) – A 24-year-old Canton man was sentenced to 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole for the sale of fentanyl.

On three occasions in August and November 2023, Madison police and Gluckstadt police conducted days of surveillance that showed several drug transactions between Denarious Evans and confidential informants.

According to Madison and Rankin County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, Jr., Evans was previously convicted in April 2024 for felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm out of Ridgeland. He was sentenced to 15 years for those offenses. Evans had three other prior felony convictions from Madison, Oktibbeha and Leake counties for various crimes including possession of a stolen firearm, business burglary, and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility.

“Let this young man’s sentence be a reminder to not sell fentanyl in Madison and Rankin Counties. We take this crime very seriously because people are dying every day from fentanyl overdoses. Additionally, Denarious Evans is only 24 years old and had already been convicted of at least four felonies before he came before Judge Arthur on these sale charges. Due to the large number of prior convictions and the amount of fentanyl pills he sold, he will have to serve everyday of this sentence,” said Bramlett.