RANKIN COUNTY, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
David Coates, the former Northwest Rankin Athletic Director who was facing drug charges has died. Sources close to the family have told WLBT that Coates, 57, died from a heart attack around 11am today.
Coates, along with his son and daughter and several others were charged in 2011 by state and federal agents in a scheme to distribute marijuana, ecstasy and other illegal drugs in an investigation called "Operation Brilliant Orange". Coates was scheduled to go on trial in August on marijuana possession and distribution charges.
Coates' son, Joseph Patrick Coates, was a student at Ole Miss when he was charged with sale of MDMA, the main ingredient in Ecstasy. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute MDMA or Molly and was sentenced to nine years.
Coates' daughter, Mary Alice Coates was sentenced to eight years in prison.
The drug scandal involving the Coates' family came as a shock to the community. Coates was widely respected before his arrest, serving in the publicly visible positions as Head Football Coach and Athletic Director at Northwest Rankin High School for 19 years.
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