Employee of councilman’s CBD store charged in federal drug case

A second person has been charged in the federal investigation into a Biloxi councilman’s CBD and kratom business that was raided in January 2023.

Celeste “CJ” Little is charged with attempt and conspiracy to alter, destroy or cover up evidence with the intent to impede, obstruct or influence an investigation.

She pleaded not guilty in federal court and was released on an unsecured bond of $25,000 set by U.S. Judge Robert Myers.

Little, an employee of a CBD and kratom store called The Candy Shop owned by Biloxi councilman Robert L. Deming III, allegedly called another store in North Carolina while federal agents were executing search warrants.

While agents were in a store in North Carolina, Little allegedly called the manager and told her to “take the additive and throw them away.”

The North Carolina manager advised she could not, as the agents were already in the store.

Little is the second person to be charged, along with Deming, in the federal investigation that, according to court records, began as early as 2020.

Deming is under house arrest pending trial on federal charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and destruction, alteration or falsification of records in a federal investigation.

He has pleaded not guilty. His court date is set for June 3 before District Judge Taylor B. McNeel.