Maranda Faris

Jackson Sun

A pharmaceutical representative has been released from federal custody after pleading guilty to threatening a Drug Enforcement Agency special agent in February.

John Kevin Phillips was released on time served. Court documents say he was arrested Feb. 25 on state charges of retaliation for past action. He was released July 5.

According to court documents, Phillips threatened the lead case agent in an ongoing investigation into the Preventagenix clinic in North Jackson.

The clinic, run by Phillips' best friend Jeff Young II, was the center of one of two search warrants executed by the DEA in January, including a search of Young's North Jackson home.

The investigation is still ongoing, according to court documents.

Court documents say Phillips sent a text message to an employee at the Preventagenix clinic on Feb. 24, threatening the lead agent on the Preventagenix investigation.

Phillips sent multiple messages to the employee and another woman, naming the agent and threatening to kill him and his children, according to court documents.

The text messages resulted in an indictment charging him with threats by interstate commerce.

On May 26, Phillips pleaded guilty to the charges. As part of the plea agreement, court documents say he can have no contact, directly or indirectly, with Jeff Young or the employee involved in the investigation.

Phillips is also required to participate in drug testing and treatment, and alcohol counseling and treatment through the United States Probation Office.

Reach Maranda at mfaris2@jacksonsun.com or (731) 425-9657 and on Twitter @MarandaFaris.