NORCROSS, Ga. — The father of a Gwinnett County teen gunned down inside his home is now in jail facing federal drug charges.
Police arrested Nicholas Jackson Sr. in Norcross Thursday.
Channel 2's Kerry Kavanaugh talked to the assistant U.S. Attorney about the arrest. She would only talk to Kavanaugh about what is in a seven-page indictment against Jackson.
Federal prosecutors believe the elder Jackson was a drug dealer.
Six months ago, police said a group of men stormed into the Jacksons' Norcross home and shot and killed the 15-year-old.
Investigators have never believed the teen was their target.
Channel 2 Action News was there in February as Nicholas Jackson, Sr. walked behind the horse-drawn hearse carrying his son. Now, the Norcross father is behind bars, the target of a federal investigation.
"Mr. Jackson is charged specifically conspiracy to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to launder drug proceeds," said assistant U.S. Attorney Skye Davis said.
The indictment suggests Jackson was part of a drug distribution network operating for nearly two years.
"Federal authorities started investigating this conspiracy in January 2011," Davis said.
Last week, a federal grand jury returned two related indictments charging a total of 14 people with trafficking cocaine and marijuana and money laundering.
Federal prosecutors would not discuss if the charges are at all connected to the death of Jackson's son, Nicholas Jackson Jr.
Kavanaugh has followed developments in the case for six months. On Feb. 3, police said a group of men stormed into Jackson's home on Autry Street.
When the teen walked out of his bedroom, a single bullet pierced his chest.
Norcross police arrested six men they say were riding in a getaway van. A seventh arrest came two months later.
Nicholas Jackson Sr. would never speak to Channel 2 Action News on camera about his son, but off camera he told Kavanaugh he had no relationship with any of the men accused in his son's death.
Jackson is set to appear before a judge in federal court on Monday to determine if he will get a bond.
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