We celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday.

Preacher will extoll the virtues of mothers on Sunday and come back in a few weeks and beat up on men on Father’s Day.

Such is Southern culture. Such is the fact that good women can bring out the best in good men.

First there was the woman who gave me life and raised me to be a man. And now there is the woman who picked me to share her life and then gave life to my four boys.

I’m one of the lucky ones who has a mother who raised me right and a wife who expects much out of the men in her life.

My Mom

My mother has always been quick to say she didn’t pick me and I didn’t pick her. A church-going woman, her point was that decision was made by a being much grander and wiser than either of us.

I have to say I am one of the lucky ones.

Mary Ingram always loved my daddy. She is silly, but not prone to foolishness. She also has loved me longer than any other human being on this Earth.

We can all get mushy about a mother’s love. It’s human nature and so very true.

But being a mother is a job my mom took very seriously.

People who know Mary Ingram always tell me how sweet and nice she is.

When I hear that, I look them in the eye and explain it is obvious she has never whipped their butt!

It’s pretty obvious they were not there the day she told that elementary school teacher to see her if there was ever the slightest problem with an Ingram boy. They weren’t there the day she pinched me in church and her eyes dared me to make a noise. And they certainly weren’t there the day she washed out my mouth – twice – after two dirty words spilled from it.

In a day and age when court dockets are filled with mothers selling drugs, shooting people and stealing money and property, I again have to say I am one of the lucky ones.

My Wife

Sara knew we were destined to get married long before I came around to that way of thinking. Why she picked me out of the crowd I do not know.

I have to say I am one of the lucky ones.

My wife always told me she was not taking the reigns from my mother. Sara let me know early in our marriage she was glad to raise our children but she was not raising me.

Sara also let me know when we were dating she was not looking for a man, she was looking for a gentleman.

I have not always measured up to the mark. We’ve had our share of trouble, but she has remained my true and faithful friend for almost 26 years now.

Houses, cars, jobs, towns, churches and dear friends have come and gone, but Sara has stuck by my side through thick and thin.

Sara demands much from me. As any smart husband knows, serving your wife and making her happy is one of the greatest joys of marriage.

And did I say she has given me four strong boys who she has helped raise into four strong men. Pardon me . . . boys she has raised into four strong gentlemen.

In a day and age when wives cut and run, talk bad about their husbands and let their children run wild, I again have to say I am one of the lucky ones.

Beside every man . . .

What my wife wants, she gets. She deserves it.

What my mother needs, she gets. She’s earned it.

They say behind every successful man is a successful woman.

I believe that saying should read a little differently.

On each side of every successful man are two women who are working very hard to make him better.

I am truly a lucky man.

Floyd Ingram is Managing Editor/News for the Chickasaw Journal. He can be reached at 456-3771 or via email at floyd.ingram@journalinc.com

The post FLOYD INGRAM: I’m one of the lucky ones appeared first on Chickasaw Journal.

OKOLONA – The April term of Chickasaw County Circuit Court had 65 cases set on the docket with drug cases and appeals from Justice Court and Okolona Municipal Court dominating the list.

Circuit Court Judges Robert Elliott, John A. Gregory and Andrew Howorth were slated to hear cases this term, accept guilty pleas and assign court-ordered attorneys.

Most of the new cases on the docket involved appeals from Justice Court with the majority of those being Driving Under the Influence cases.

There were a number of DUI appeals on the docket, some for felony or third offense DUI, and a number of miscellaneous appeals from Justice Court.

Drug-related charges continued to dominate the docket with 26, set to be heard this term. That number was down from 31 drug-related cases on the October docket and down from 36 in January 2013.

There were 20 cases of burglary or robbery on this docket, down one from the October term. There were eight cases of alleged larceny or embezzlement, five cases of assault and three sex-related cases scheduled for court in Okolona.

Cases listed on the April 2014 docket of Circuit Court in Okolona are public record and are provided by the Chickasaw County Circuit Clerk’s office.

The following cases posted on the April 2014 docket by defendant name, charge and bond are:

• Jaquette Atkinson, Burglary, $5,000 bond.

• Jaquette Atkinson, Grand Larceny, $15,000 bond.

• Alfonzo Baker, Sale of Cocaine, $20,000 bond.

• Alfonzo Baker, Sale of Cocaine, $20,000 bond.

• Alfonzo Baker, Sale of Cocaine, no bond listed.

• MacKenzie A. Baker, Grand Larceny, $15,000 bond.

• Carnelius Bean, Grand Larceny, no bond listed.

• Dexter Bogan, Sale of Cocaine, no bond listed.

• Dexter Bogan, Sale of Cocaine, $40,000 bond.

• Dexter Bogan, Possession of a Controlled Substance – Cocaine – with Intent to Deliver, no bond listed.

• Chico Rodrigues Crockett, Felony DUI, no bond listed.

• Lawrence DeVauld, Burglary, no bond listed.

• Andrew Lanja Dilworth, DUI – Child Endangerment, $5,000 bond.

• Reginald Doss, Sale of Cocaine, no bond listed.

• Marcus Finney, Touching a Child with Lustful Intent, $10,000 bond.

• Cynthia Ford, Fraud-State/Federal Assistance, no bond listed.

• Robert E. Garth, Felony DUI, $5,000 bond.

• William Gibson, Embezzlement, no bond listed.

• Antwan Grady, Burglary of a Commercial Building, $50,000 bond.

• Antwan Grady, Burglary of a Dwelling, no bond listed.

• Antwan Grady, Burglary of a Dwelling, no bond listed.

• Kevis S. Guido, Burglary, Contempt of Court for failure to pay fine, no bond listed.

• Lester Hamiter, Possession of Marijuana, $20,000 bond.

• Robert Hill, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, $5,000 bond.

• Tyeyoneke Hill, Possession of Cocaine, no bond listed.

• Rogers Lee Holman, Sexual Battery, $20,000 bond.

• Mitchell Clay Inmon, Burglary of a Dwelling, $10,000 bond.

• Sandra Ivy Boyd, Fraudulent us of a Social Security Number, no bond listed.

• Anthony Johnson, Sale of Controlled Substance – Cocaine, no bond listed.

• Daron King, Possession of Cocaine, Fleeing the Scene, $15,000 bond.

• Sherry Reana Lackey, Appeal DUI First from Justice Court, no bond listed.

• Paul Eugene Lavender, Jr., Appeal from Justice Court, no bond listed.

• Linda Lewis, Embezzlement, $10,000 bond.

• DeJuan Marnez Lowe, Possession of Cocaine, no bond listed.

• George Merriweather, Sale of Cocaine, $10,000 bond.

• George Merriweather, Sale of Controlled Substance Cocaine, no bond listed.

• George Merriweather, Sale of Controlled Substance Cocaine, no bond listed.

• Greg Moore, Sale of Controlled Substance – Marijuana, $20,000 bond.

• Gregory Moore, Aggravated Assault, $20,000 bond.

• Jocelyn Norman, Embezzlement, $15,000 bond.

• Quincy Patterson, Attempted Robbery, $25,000 bond.

• Quincy Patterson, Simple Assault of Law Officer, no bond listed.

• Carlos Ransom, Sale of Controlled Substance Marijuana, no bond listed.

• Carlos Ransom, Sale of Controlled Substance Marijuana, no bond listed.

• Carlos Ransom, Sale of Controlled Substance Marijuana, no bond listed.

• Roy E. Ransom, Robbery/Burglary of a Dwelling, $5,000 bond.

• Bruce Rogers, Sexual Battery, no bond listed.

• Delvin Rogers, Burglary of a Dwelling, no bond listed.

• Carlos Ransom, Sale of Controlled Substance Marijuana, no bond listed.

• Carlos Ransom, Burglary, Aggravated Assault, Sexual Battery, no bond listed.

• Roy Rowe, Sale of Cocaine, $20,000 bond.

• Roy Rowe, Sale of Cocaine – three counts, $20,000 bond.

• David Lee Sanders, Grand Larceny, no bond listed.

• David Lee Sanders, Grand Larceny, no bond listed.

• Darryl Smith, Burglary of an Automobile, $5,000 bond.

• LaJarrance Standfield, Fraudlent use of Insurance, no bond listed.

• David Ware, Sale of a Controlled Substance Cocaine, $25,000 bond.

• David Ware, Sale of a Controlled Substance Cocaine, no bond listed.

• David Ware, Sale of a Controlled Substance Cocaine, no bond listed.

• Johnny Thomas Washington, Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, no bond listed.

• Terrell Welch, Burglary of a Dwelling, $20,000 bond.

• Wade Whitlock, DUI appeal from Justice Court, no bond listed.

• Maurice Wiggins, Embezzlement, no bond listed.

• L.T. Williams, Burglary of a Commercial Building, $20,000 bond.

• L.T. Williams, Burglary of a Dwelling, $10,000 bond.

• Joe Wren Jr., Burglary of a Dwelling, $10,000 bond.

The post Circuit Court docket set in Okolona appeared first on Chickasaw Journal.

Eleven more indictments from the April 15-16 Union County grand jury session have been released by the circuit clerk’s office. Indictments remain secret until defendants are served with the indictment papers.

While a majority of the more recent releases involve drug charges, other crimes alleged include grand larceny, child endangerment and identity fraud.

Newly released indictments are:

• Jason Alan Estes, 163 CR 253, Etta, 3-1-82, charged with five counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud. He is accused of using a prescription for hydrocodone from Dr. H. F. Mason at Hospital Pharmacy Nov. 18, 2013 without revealing he had another prescription at the same time, of using a prescription for oxycodone from Dr. Guy Farmer at Hospital Pharmacy Dec. 13, 2013 without revealing he had another prescription at the same time, of using a prescription for oxycodone from Dr. Stephen Housewith at Hospital Pharmacy Feb. 5, 2014 without revealing he had another prescription at the same time, of using a prescription for oxycodone from Dr. Johnny Mitias at Hospital Pharmacy Feb. 12, 2014, without revealing he had another prescription at the same time, of using a prescription for oxycodone from Dr. Johnny Mitias at Hospital Pharmacy Feb. 18, 2014 without revealing he had another prescription at the same time. If convicted, he may be sentenced to from 1 to 5 years in prison, fined up to $5,000, or both for each count.
• Cole Mason, 258 Old Plantersville Rd., Plantersville, 8-6-91, charged with two counts of sale of a controlled substance, Schedule II drug. He is accused of selling a quantity of methamphetamine on Nov. 8, 2103 and another on Nov. 13, 2013. If convicted, he may be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison, fiend from $5,000 to $1 million, or both for each count.
• Amanda Ellen Russell, address and age not available, charged with two counts of prescription forgery. She is accused of presenting a forged prescription for hydrocodone from Dr. Horton Taylor to Fred’s Pharmacy Aug. 10, 2013 and a forged prescription for valium from Dr. John Emmett to Rite-Aid on Aug. 27, 2013. If convicted, she may be sentenced to from 1 to 5 years in prison, fined up to $1,000, or both for each count.
• Rachel N. McDonald, 13030 CR127, New Albany, 5-2-82, charged with attempting to obtain possession of a controlled substance by fraud. She is accused of altering the date on a prescription from Dr. Stephen Shirley for a controlled substance at Walgreen’s Oct. 20, 2013. If convicted, she may be sentenced to from 1 to 5 years in prison, fined up to $1,000, or both.
• James Marion, 1003 CR 134, New Albany, 6-18-70, charged with sale of a controlled substance Scheduled III drug. He is accused of selling a quantity of hydrocodone Aug. 8, 2013. If convicted, he may be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison, fined from $1,000 to $250,000, or both.
• Clyde Brown, 3257 Old Hwy. 4, Holly Springs, 10-4-90, charged with sale of a controlled substance, marijuana. He is accused of selling 34.8 grams of marijuana on Oct. 3, 2013. If convicted, he may be sentenced for selling more than 30 grams and less than one kilogram of marijuana to up to 20 years in prison, fined up to $30,000, or both.
• James Brian Quillan, 1023 CR 36, Thaxton, 1-18-74, charged with felony driving under the influence (third offense). He is accused DUI Jan. 18, 2014 after previous convictions uly 11, 2012 and March 14, 2013. If convicted, he may be sentenced to from one to five years in prison, fined up to $5,000, or both.
• Jacob Cagle, 1017 CR 16, Myrtle, 12-17-94, charged with five counts of grand larceny. He is accused, with Brittany E. Hardin, of taking a six-foot Ford disc from Phillip Morrison in October 2013; of taking a 14-foot boat from Phillip Morrison in October 2013; of taking, with Brittany E. Hardin, a golf cart from Phillip Morrison in October 2013; of taking power tolls, anvils and batteries from Jerry Morrison in October 2013; and of taking, with William Christopher Lee, a 16-foot trailer from Kyle Jumper in October 2013. If convicted, he may be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, fined up to $10,000, or both for each count.
• Tammy Hogue, Rt. 2 Lake Arrowhead, Hickory Flat, 8-27-62, charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. She is accused of being caught with a firearm Dec. 1, 2013 after having been convicted of possession of a controlled substance March 15, 2010. If convicted, she may be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison, fined up to $5,000, or both.
• Charles Sean Lucas, 1128 CR 69, Myrtle, 8-6-84, charged with child endangerment. He is accused, with Christine Lucas, of possessing and allowing the use of illegal drugs in the presence of a child Nov. 14, 2013, resulting in the child’s testing positive in a drug screen for the presence of illegal drugs. If convicted, he may be sentenced to up to five years in prison, fined up to $5,000, or both.
• Joshua Lee Rogers, 939 St. Hwy. 30 E., New Albany, 11-21-88, charged with five counts of fraudulent use of identity. He is accused of fraudulently obtaining a Goody’s credit card in the name of William Cody Rogers between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2013; during the same period obtaining a PayPal account in the name of William Cody Rogers; during the same period obtaining a Buckle credit card in the name of Jason Ryan Rogers; during the same period obtaining a MasterCard in the name of Jason Ryan Rogers; and during the same period obtaining a First Premier Bank MasterCard in the name of Jason Ryan Rogers. If convicted, he may be sentenced to up to five years in prison, fined up to $5,000, or both for each count.

The post Eleven arrested on Union County indictments appeared first on Chickasaw Journal.

HOUSTON – The May term of Chickasaw County Circuit Court in Houston saw a number of probation revocations and five guilty pleas accepted by the court.

Eight persons already under the courts purview for previous convictions saw their probation revoked or extended after being charged with new crimes or failing to report or pass drug testing ordered by Chickasaw County probation officers.

The May term saw a total of 97 cases on the docket. Drug charged continued to dominate the docket with 43 indicted. Larceny and fraud cases counted for 14 indictments and burglary with 11 indictments.

There were six aggravated assault charges on the docket and two assault charges. There were three sex-related charges listed and two charges each for embezzlement, malicious mischief, felony child abuse and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The docket also has two murder cases that could be tried next month.

Capital murder charges were filed in September against Gregory Mitchell, 32, in connection with the stabbing death of William Ray “Shorty” Bevill in his home April 15, 2013.

Mitchell was indicted in August and no trial date has been set. Capital murder cases – which can carry the death penalty – must have been committed in the presence of another felony such as rape, arson, burglary or robbery.

Chickasaw County’s other active homicide case involves the death of Amanda Porter who was found stabbed at her home in Houston in January 2013.

Will Porter, 28, was charged in February 2013 with murder in connection to that incident. No trial date has been set for Porter.

The court also instructed the Chickasaw County Circuit Clerk to prepare the jury wheel for cases set for trial during the June term and also to select a pool of potential names for the Grand Jury set to meet in July.

The clerk will select 4,000 prospective jurors from the Houston First District and 2,000 names from the Okolona Second District. The clerk will then draw 200 names for each week of Circuit Court. An additional 200 names will be selected for the Grand Jury pool, with 90 potential jurors presented to District Attorney Ben Creekmore.

Cases listed on the May 2014 docket of Circuit Court in Houston are public record and are provided by the Chickasaw County Circuit Clerk’s office. It should be noted cases can be plead or rescheduled at the court’s discretion and often are.

Cases reviewed on the May docket of Circuit Court in Houston by defendant name, charge, bond and status of case are:

• Claude Adams, Uttering Forgery, $10,000, continued.

• Justin Allen, Burglary/Felon in possession of a Firearm, $2,500, continued.

• Christopher Anderson, Grand Larceny, $10,000, continued.

• Tonya Bryant Bailey, plead guilty to Sale of Hydrocodone and was sentenced to five years with five years suspended and Judge Andrew K. Howorth imposing fees and fines of $3,108.50.

• Frank Bean, Simple Burglary, no bond listed, continued.

• Michael Bell, Sale of Marijuana, no bond listed, continued.

• A.D. Boyd, Simple Assault, no bond listed, continued.

• Gregory Brownlee, Possession of Marijuana, $25,000, continued.

• Terry Brownlee, Sale of Cocaine, no bond listed, continued.

• Zachary Brownlee, Possession of Marijuana, $20,000, continued.

• Bradley J. Buchanan, Grand Larceny, $5,000 bond, continued.

• Tyiesha Buxton saw her probation revoked. Buxton was convicted in 2012 to 15 years with 5 years suspended. Buxton was arrested by the Mississippi Highway Patrol for felony DUI on April 14 and also failed a drug test. She was sentenced to one year in the State Department of Corrections and 14-years probation.

• Christy Clark, Aggravated Assault, $10,000 bond, continued.

• Jacob Shane Coleman, Burglary of a Commercial Building, $5,000, continued. Coleman was held in contempt of court by Judge Howorth and ordered to pay $150 per month and then $250 per month beginning June 2015.

• Jacob Shane Coleman, Malicious Mischief, $10,000, continued.

• Tracy Coleman, Embezzlement, $15,000, continued. Coleman was held in contempt of court by Judge Howorth and ordered to pay $200 a month.

• Amillo James Conner, plead guilty to Felony DUI and was sentenced to 5 years with 1 year intensive supervision/house arrest and four years supervised probation. He was ordered by Judge Howorth to pay $2,793.50 in fees and fines.

• Kelvin Crawford, Sale of Cocaine, no bond listed, continued.

• Aliza Cross, Sale of Hydrocodone, $20,000, continued.

• Calvin “Zulu” Dean, Grand Larceny, MDOC no bond listed, continued.

• LeBobby Ewing, Possession of Marijuana-Cocaine, $20,000, continued.

• Alton Fallon, initially plead guilty March 25, 2013 to two counts of Sexual Battery by a Law Enforcement Officer of a Correction Department Employee or Offender and sentenced to 1 year supervised probation. This term the charge was reduced to Aggravated Assault and Fallon plead guilty and was sentenced to four years with four years suspended and four years unsupervised probation. He was ordered to pay $633.50 in fees and fines.

• Santiana Fears, Burglary of a Commercial Building, $10,000, continued.

• Jasmine Ford, Credit Card Fraud, $5,000, continued.

• Brenda Gates, was found guilty of contempt of court for failure to pay fines and court cost from a previous conviction. She was jailed and ordered to pay $400 a month.

• Scottie Gillespie, Sale of Methamphetamine, no bond listed, continued.

• Scottie Gillespie, Sale of Methamphetamine, no bond listed, continued.

• Raymond Green, Sale of Hydrocodone, no bond listed, continued.

• Gregory Mitchell, Capital Murder, no bond listed, continued.

• Christina N. Griggs, plead guilty to Embezzlement and was sentenced to 5 years with 5 years supended and 5 years supervised probation. She was ordered by Judge Howorth to pay fees and fines of $3,333.50.

• Jason Harrington, Possession of a Controlled Substance with intent to deliver, continued.

• Henry Harris, Burglary of a Commercial Building, $25,000, continued.

• Courtney Hatchett, Possession of Marijuana-Cocaine, $20,000, continued.

• Mike Hatchett, Sale of Cocaine, $20,000, continued.

• Phillip Hatchett, Sale of Coaine, no bond listed, continued.

• Angel Hicks, Grand Larceny, $20,000, continued.

• Malcolm Hogan, Burglary of a Dwelling, $5,000, continued.

• J.B Holmes, Aggravated Assault and Kidnapping, no bond listed, continued.

• Robert Holmes, Sale of Marijuana, $20,000, continued.

• Robert Holmes, Sale of Marijuana, $20,000, continued.

• Eric Hoskins, Aggravated Assault, no bond listed, continued.

• Jeremy Houk, Burglary of a Commercial Building. Houk was also charged this term with failure to appear and felon in possession of a firearm.

• Jimmie Houston, Sale of Hydrocodone, $10,000, continued.

• Julius Howard, Possession of a Controlled Substance, No bond listed, continued.

• Jay Ivy, Sale of Fentanyl, $60,000, continued.

• Gladys Jennings, Sale of Fentanyl, $100,000, continued.

• Shundray Johnson, Aggravated Assault, no bond listed, continued.

• Russell Kilgore, Touching a Child for Lustful Purposes, $5,000, continued.

• Carlos Lewis, Possession of Marijuana, $15,000, continued.

• Brandy Long, saw her probation revoked. Long was sentenced to 8 years and 5 years probation on Dec. 8, 2009. Long was arrested for Domestic Violence by Houston Police on April 18, 2014 and failed a drug test. She was sentenced to 8 years probation and ordered to pay $2,622.50 in fees and fines.

• Christopher McKinney, Sale of Cocaine, no bond listed, continued.

• Christopher McKinney, Sale of Cocaine, no bond listed, continued.

• Tyler Steven Miller, Burglary of a Commercial Building, no bond listed, continued.

• Chiquita L. Moore, False Pretenses, no bond listed, continued.

• Justin Mosley, Sale of Marijuana, no bond listed, continued.

• Justin Mosley, Sale of Marijuana, no bond listed, continued.

• John Henry Moye, Sale of Cocaine, $20,000, continued.

• Tony Neal, Sexual Battery, no bond listed, continued.

• William W. Pickens, Felony DUI, $5,000, continued.

• Mark Pittman, Grand Larceny, no bond listed, continued.

• William Henry Porter, Murder, no bond listed, continued.

• Chris Pratt, Aggravated Assault, $10,000, continued.

• Joseph Pratt, Sale of Cocaine, no bond listed, continued.

• Joseph Pratt, Sale of Cocaine, no bond listed, continued.

• James Pulliam, Sale of a Controlled Substance Oxycodone, $20,000, continued.

• Kelvie Ranson, plead guilty to Credit Card Fraud and was sentenced to 3 years with 3 years suspended and ordered to pay $2,291.31 in fees and fines.

• Cedric Robinson, Sale of MDMA, $20,000, continued.

• Eugene Robinson, Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult, $15,000, continued.

• Brian Chad Simmons, Grand Larceny, no bond listed, continued.

• Gregory Smith, Felony Child Abuse, no bond listed, continued.

• Gregory Smith, Felony Child Abuse, no bond listed, continued.

• Orlandes Del Stribling, Burglary of a Commercial Building, $10,000, continued.

• Lee Sullivan, Uttering Forgery, no bond listed, continued.

• Brandon Thompson, Possession of Marijuana-Cocaine, $20,000, continued.

• Felecia Thornton, plead guilty to False Pretense and was sentenced to 3 years with 3 years suspended and 3 years supervised probation. She was ordered by Judge Howorth to pay $1,879.50 in fees and fines.

• Charles Turner saw his probation revoked for conviction of three counts of sale of cocaine on Dec. 7, 2010 and sentenced to 5 years probation. Turner failed to report to a probation officer since August 2012 and owes $5,997.50 in fees and fines. A warrant issued for his arrest.

• Lank L. Vance, Felon in Possession of Firearm, $5,000, continued.

• Christopher W. Voyles, Burglary of a Commercial Building, $5,000 bond, continued.

• Christopher W. Voyles, Malicious Mischief, $5,000 bond, continued.

• Myron Wade, Possession of Precursors, no bond listed, continued.

• Sammy Washington, Possession of Methamphetamine, $20,000, continued.

• Christopher White, Possession of Cocaine, $10,000, continued.

• Donnell Wimms, Sale of Marijuana, no bond listed, continued.

• Donnell Wimms, Sale of Marijuana, no bond listed, continued.

• Michael E. Whitt, Possession of Methamphetamine, $10,000. He saw his bond revoked and bond denied after he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine on April 17.

• Ronald Scott Wofford, Burglary of a Dwelling, no bond, continued.

• Ontario “Tario” Woodard, Sale of Marijuana, no bond listed, continued.

• Joe Wren saw his probation revoked. Wren was sentenced to 10 years and 5 years probation and was arrested for providing false information to Tupelo Police on April 14, failing to pay fines, fees and restitution of $5,712.50, and failing to report to a probation officer from January to April. He was sentenced to 10 years, with 5 to serve and 5 years suspended.

The post Court hears guilty pleas, revokes probations appeared first on Chickasaw Journal.

By Errol Castens

Daily Journal

OXFORD – A former Oxford deputy city clerk has been indicted by a Lafayette County grand jury on a charge of embezzlement.

Alisa Liggins resigned her position in June 2013 after an investigation indicated irregularities in the handling of justice court receipts in 2012.

Liggins, 46, of Oxford, was arrested Monday and was released on $5,000 bond. The charge carries a potential penalty of up to $25,000 in fines or 10 years in prison. She is accused of embezzling $12,703.50 over the course of several months from the city of Oxford, according to State Auditor Stacy Pickering.

Liggins attempted to conceal the embezzlement scheme, Pickering said, by delaying general ledger entries and bank deposits and using future receipts to balance general ledger entries.

Mayor Pat Patterson said, “It is the policy of the city of Oxford not to comment on criminal investigations or matters of personnel. Any further information will have to come from our legal staff.”

Liggins had worked as a deputy clerk for the Oxford City Clerk’s Office since 2005.

errol.castens@journalinc.com

The post City clerk indicted in Oxford appeared first on Chickasaw Journal.

By Bobby Harrison

Daily Journal Jackson Bureau

JACKSON — State. Sen. Chris McDaniel of Ellisville, who narrowly lost Tuesday in the Republican primary runoff in his bid to upend incumbent Thad Cochran indicated late Wednesday he still is not conceding.

“In the coming days, our team will look into the irregularities to determine whether a challenge is warranted,” McDaniel said late Wednesday in a statement. “After we’ve examined the data, we will make a decision about whether and how to proceed.”

Final, unofficial results show Cochran winning the runoff in his bids for his seventh term in the U.S. Senate by 191,508 votes or 50.9 percent to 184,815 votes or 49.1 percent.

The result comes after McDaniel had garnered about 1,400 more votes than Cochran in the June 3 first primary, but did not obtain the majority needed to avoid the runoff.

After the first primary, Cochran supporters said their goal was “to expand the electorate,” including by courting Democrats to vote in the Republican primary. They definitely increased turnout — by more than 57,000 votes — and, no doubt, some Democrats did cross over and vote in the primary, but the analysis is not conclusive as to what degree.

On Tuesday night in a defiant speech after the election was called for Cochran, McDaniel, a Tea Party favorite, said, in the Cochran campaign, “the conservative movement took a backseat to liberal Democrats.”

Under state law, people who did not vote in the Democratic primary on June 3 could vote in the Republican Senate runoff. Since Travis Childers of Booneville won the Democratic nomination for Senate on June 3 against little-known opposition, the turnout in the primary was low, meaning many people who traditionally vote Democratic could vote in the Republican runoff if they wanted to.

McDaniel supporters said their candidate won on Tuesday among true Republican voters.

McDaniel can file any protest of the results with the state Republican Party and, if not satisfied, can appeal to the courts.

In Wednesday’s statement, McDaniel said, “If our party and our conservative movement are to co-exist, it is paramount that we ensure the sanctity of the election process is upheld. And we will do that. In the case of yesterday’s election, we must be absolutely certain that our Republican primary was won by Republican voters.”

The post McDaniel not conceding yet appeared first on Chickasaw Journal.

OKOLONA – After a lawsuit, court costs and controversy the Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors signed off on work on County Road 4 last week.

Supervisors were approached by County Engineer Ed Springer at their regular board meeting Tuesday, June 24 with documents that will close out work that resurfaced 1.39 miles of County Road 4.

“This letter to State Aid says that a final inspection has been made,” said Springer. “Once they have this on file the project is closed.”

The project was District 2 Supervisor David Gene Walters’ first major road project. Walters is now Board President and signed off for the county at Tuesday’s board meeting that the project is officially complete.

The project rose to prominence after Ausbern Construction was awarded the contract and did the work, but had to sue Chickasaw County for cost over runs on the project. A Lafayette County jury ruled Ausbern Construction was due $570,293.60 in costs and damages in the suit that stretched over two years.

The jury’s verdict specified the county must pay Ausbern $387,793.60 in construction costs and damages. The jury also awarded Ausbern $182,500 in damages from Chickasaw County Engineer Ed Springer.

At the heart of the case was the payment for grading and resurfacing 1.39-miles of County Road 4. Ausbern’s bid of $396,566 for the work was accepted by the county and awarded on Nov. 23, 2010.

The suit filed by Ausbern Construction said the county breached its contract and Ausbern was owed not less than $220,000 in damages. Ausbern’s attorney said damages in the case could top $1 million.

Ausbern’s attorney’s also entered evidence the company failed to get $14.9 million in potential projects due to the unpaid bill’s impact on Ausbern’s bonding capacity.

Ausbern Construction is owned by the family of former Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors Attorney Elizabeth Ausbern. That circumstance prompted the county to hire the firm of Carnathan & McAuley, of Tupelo, to handle legal duties for the Board of Supervisors. Ausbern no longer serves as the board attorney.

The political nature of the case prompted the court to change the venue. Explaining the case involved the county, prominent elected officials, concerns of a tax increase and pre-trial publicity, Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth ruled in last fall the trial would be moved from Chickasaw to Lafayette county.

The trial began March 24 with the defense bringing a line of witnesses to the stand over two days. Aubern’s financial records, including tax returns, were discussed at length to show damages.

Chickasaw County’s attorneys and Springer’s attorneys repeatedly said they followed procedures established in the state’s “Green Book” for state-aid road projects. The defense said a supplemental agreement – similar to a change order — was necessary to pay for the excess work done by Ausbern and no such document was ever drawn up.

Ausbern’s attorneys said after the trial the supplemental agreement was never drawn up by Springer and the county never asked him to create one.

Springer admitted in court he figured the project incorrectly and felt Ausbern should have been paid for the work he did.

That hesitancy to resolve the bill was noted by Judge Howorth.

“I thought this case should have been settled a long time ago,” said Howorth in March 2013. “There seems to be some hard-headedness – I don’t know by who – but we need to move forward.”

Herbert said his client met with mediators in Greenwood and agreed to settle for damages of $220,000. Herbert said the county countered with an offer of about $30,000.

Ausbern Construction’s suit said Springer underestimated the amount of material needed to resurface the road, discovered Ausbern Construction put down 19,944-cubic yards of materials on a bid that specified 7,689-cubic yards and that Springer failed to notify state and local authorities of this change so Ausbern Construction could be paid accordingly.

A letter from State Aid District Engineer Joel S. Bridges dated Feb. 2, 2012 recommended payment for 17,700-cubic yards.

On a motion by District 5 Supervisor Russell King and a second by District 3 Supervisor Russell Brooks in January, the Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to hire Springer and approve his bond.

In other business:

• Springer said the county gets a little over $2 million in state aid money for road work every four years. Springer said that amount is figured using a formula created by the state and financed with gasoline tax revenues paid at the pump.

• County Road Manager Kenneth Funderburk said he inspected the bridge at Davis Lake recently and would be returning to the board with a recommendation for work needing to be done.

Funderburk said the bridge is structurally sound, but the surface is coming up due to deteriorating decking. Funderburk said the county would use forestry money to finance the work.

• The county also finished up debris removal following the June 12 storm that swept Northeast Chickasaw County. District 4 Supervisor Jerry Hall asked if the county could claim any damage to roads due to that tornado. Funderburk said we not sure if the county had a claim.

• Funderburk said the county is finishing up the first round of mowing this summer and has purchased a new pole saw to help trim overhanging limbs. Supervisors discussed purchasing a wood chipper to work with the pole saw.

“It is difficult to load a lot of loose branches on a trailer and then you have to haul it somewhere and dump it,” said Funderburk. “It would be better if we could shred those limbs on-site and be finished with it.”

The post County signs off on CR 4 appeared first on Chickasaw Journal.

HOUSTON – The Chickasaw County grand jury meets this week to consider evidence that could result in local residents being charged with a felony.

Evidence will be presented by the District Attorney Ben Creekmore and local law enforcement to a pool of grand jurors specially chosen for the task of determining if an indictment should be issued and a warrant issued for the person to be formally charged and requiring them to appear in court to answer those charges.

Grand jury business is conducted in utmost secrecy since many of those who could be indicted do not know they have been under investigation by local, state and sometimes even federal authorities. Asking a grand juror about what was discussed in chambers can result in jury tampering charges which is a felony.

The grand jury is the local body of the court that decides if there is enough evidence in a case to bring formal charges, usually felony charges.

And most people don’t realize the scope and authority of this body since they meet in secret and their names are rarely known.

The grand jury meets twice a year in the First Judicial District, which is Houston and another grand jury meets twice a year in the Second Judicial District which is Okolona. The Houston grand jury hears cases in crimes that are committed in the First Judicial District and the Okolona Grand Jury hears cases that occur in Okolona.

The First and Second district line is Chuquatonchee Creek.

Like all juries, names are pulled from the Chickasaw County voter roll and that list is culled to about 15 to 20 names. Those chosen are then called to grand jury duty.

The grand jury is run by Creekmore, who, working with local law enforcement, presents evidence of alleged crimes to jurors. If 12 jurors vote to issue a true bill, an indictment is entered by the Circuit Clerk, an arrest warrant is issued to the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Department, the person is arrested and the case goes to court.

If the grand jury does not find evidence of a crime the case is no-billed. The case can be presented to another grand jury if additional evidence is uncovered by law enforcement.

The secret nature of the grand jury usually has them conduct their business in one day. That way once someone is indicted they don’t flee before deputies can make an arrest.”

Grand jurors also take an oath not to discuss the work of the grand jury for six months.

Most Chickasaw County’s cases deal with drugs, theft and assault.

In Chickasaw County up to 80 percent of the crime is drug-related and the Drug Court handles a lot of those cases.

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HOUSTON – Carrson Neal with Cook Coggin Engineering of Tupelo, has been named the county’s engineer of record.

The motion to hire Neal was made by District 4 Supervisor Jerry Hall and seconded by District 5 Supervisors Russell “Wolfie” King. The motion passed without dissent.

Cook Coggin Engineers, Inc., is a general civil engineering firm established in 1946 that has developed a reputation with state and county governments, municipalities, rural communities and industry. Headquartered in Tupelo, they have regional offices are in Booneville, Corinth, New Albany and Ripley.

Neal assumed his responsibilities with the county earlier this month. He replaces Chickasaw County’s previous engineer Ed Springer.

The county did not give a reason for the change.

Springer was at the center of a lawsuit involving the county and the resurfacing of County Road 4 almost three years ago. The county closed that project at their June board meeting in Okolona.

That project rose to prominence after Ausbern Construction was awarded the contract and did the work, but had to sue Chickasaw County for cost over runs on the project. A Lafayette County jury ruled Ausbern Construction was due $570,293.60 in costs and damages in the suit that stretched over two years.

The jury’s verdict specified the county must pay Ausbern $387,793.60 in construction costs and damages. The jury also awarded Ausbern $182,500 in damages from Chickasaw County Engineer Ed Springer.

At the heart of the case was the payment for grading and resurfacing 1.39-miles of County Road 4. Ausbern’s bid of $396,566 for the work was accepted by the county and awarded on Nov. 23, 2010.

Ausbern Construction is owned by the family of former Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors Attorney Elizabeth Ausbern. That circumstance prompted the county to hire the firm of Carnathan & McAuley, of Tupelo, to handle legal duties for the Board of Supervisors. Ausbern no longer serves as the board attorney.

The political nature of the case prompted the court to change the venue and move the trial to Lafayette County.

Chickasaw County’s attorneys and Springer’s attorneys repeatedly said they followed procedures established in the state’s “Green Book” for state-aid road projects. The defense said a supplemental agreement – similar to a change order — was necessary to pay for the excess work done by Ausbern and no such document was ever drawn up.

Ausbern’s attorneys said after the trial the supplemental agreement was never drawn up by Springer and the county never asked him to create one.

Springer admitted in court he figured the project incorrectly and felt Ausbern should have been paid for the work he did.

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Manning

By Jack Elliott Jr.

Associated Press

JACKSON – A Mississippi death row inmate is back before the state’s high court to challenge the evidence and his lawyer’s performance during his trial in the slayings of two elderly women.

Willie Jerome Manning is appealing an Oktibbeha County judge’s denial of his post-conviction challenges related to evidence in his trial and his lawyer’s performance. The Mississippi Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case on Oct. 27 in Jackson.

In 1996, Manning was convicted and sentenced to death in the slayings of Emmoline Jimmerson, 90, and her daughter, Alberta Jordan, 60, during a robbery attempt at their Starkville apartment in 1993. The women were beaten and their throats were slashed.

The Mississippi Supreme Court upheld Manning’s conviction and two death sentences in 2000. But four years later, the high court granted Manning approval to pursue three post-conviction claims: that prosecutors withheld evidence; that they presented false evidence; and that Manning was denied effective counsel at trial and on appeal.

Circuit Judge Lee Howard ruled against Manning on all three issues in 2013. But Manning’s attorneys appealed, claiming Howard’s ruling denied Manning “an opportunity to develop a number of claims challenging the reliability of his conviction.”

During the initial trial, one of Manning’s friends, Kevin Lucious, testified that he spoke to Manning at the Brooksville Gardens apartments on the evening of the slayings and then saw Manning force his way into the women’s apartment. Other witnesses also testified they saw Manning at the apartments. Manning denied he had been there.

Manning argued Lucious later recanted. Lucious said he was coerced by prosecutors into implicating Manning, according to court documents.

Howard, the Oktibbeha County judge, said he found no reliable proof that Lucious was threatened by law enforcement officials. Howard said law enforcement officials testified Lucious was never threatened or pressured for testimony in the case.

Howard said he could not find that Manning’s lawyer was ineffective for failing to attack Lucious testimony.

Special Assistant Attorney General Melanie Thomas said in court documents that Lucious gave several statements to authorities about the slayings. She said it was only six years after the trial that Lucious argued he was coerced by prosecutors and the story changed each time Lucious was asked to describe how he was coerced.

“The only time his story ever made sense … was when Lucious testified at Manning’s trial,” Thomas said.

Emily Maw, an attorney for the New Orleans-based Innocence Project, argued in a friend of the court brief that it was clear Lucious lied while testifying at Manning’s trial. She said the very least the Supreme Court should do is reverse Manning’s conviction so the case may be reinvestigated.

In May 2013, Manning had been set for lethal injection in a separate case — the December 1992 slayings of Mississippi State University students Jon Steckler and Tiffany Miller. The state Supreme Court blocked the execution hours before it was scheduled. Justices didn’t explain their action, but Manning had argued that DNA tests would prove him innocent. That case was sent back to Oktibbeha County.

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ABERDEEN – A Moss Point man was sentenced to 10 years in jail after pleading guilty to a pair of firearms charges in federal court.

Last month, Miles Lloyd Taylor, 31, entered guilty pleas on the charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crime. The crimes happened in Chickasaw County.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Senior Judge Neal Biggers sentenced him to five years on each charge, to run consecutively. He also faces three years of supervised probation.

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JACKSON (AP) – The Mississippi Supreme Court has denied a prosecutor’s motion to throw out a death row inmate’s appeal of his 1994 rape conviction.

Charles Ray Crawford, 48, is on death row for the 1992 slaying of Kristy Ray in the Chalybeate community in Tippah County.

In his appeal, Crawford says he received ineffective counsel to defend himself against the rape charges, which were used by prosecutors to seek the death penalty. Few details of the rape conviction are discussed in earlier briefs in the death penalty case.

The attorney general’s office argued in requesting the dismissal that Crawford got a fair trial and that if there was any error, it was Crawford’s for waiting 20 years to file an appeal.

The Supreme Court denied the motion Thursday without comment.

Crawford argues that the 1994 rape conviction should be tossed out because he received poor legal representation at his trial. The result of the appeal could mean the difference between life and death for Crawford.

Crawford was arrested in 1992 and charged with rape and aggravated assault. While free on bond, he was arrested on murder charges in the death of a young woman. He was convicted of rape in 1993 and sentenced to 66 years in prison. He was then found guilty of murder in 1994 and sentenced to death. Prosecutors had argued for the death penalty, saying it was justified because Crawford’s past as a rapist constituted an aggravated factor and called for the harshest of punishments.

Crawford’s lawyer has argued there were numerous errors in Crawford’s rape trial including poor performance by the defense, prosecutorial misconduct, and questionable rulings and jury instructions from the trial judge.

Crawford’s change of venue on the original charge saw his trial conducted in Chickasaw County.

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Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood (AP)

By Jeff Amy

Associated Press

JACKSON – With representatives of the electronics industry saying Mississippi’s attempt to investigate Google should be blocked by federal law, 11 other state attorneys general and other groups are taking the opposite position.

They’re weighing in on the side of Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, saying he has the power to examine Google’s behavior, and should be allowed to collect evidence from the Internet giant before a court steps in.

Google is trying to block a subpoena that Hood issued, with the Mountain View, California, company claiming it’s immune from much or all of Hood’s inquiries under a 1996 federal law, the Communications Decency Act. That law says Internet companies can’t be held liable for what third parties say.

A Democrat, Hood says he’s investigating actions taken by Google itself, and says the company could be liable under Mississippi law. In particular, Hood is looking into whether Google was facilitating illegal activity through its auto complete service, which automatically fills in words for the user, such as “how to buy oxydodone” and whether the search engine was purposefully selling related ads against YouTube videos that allegedly promoted illegal behavior.

The sides are scheduled to argue their positions Friday in Jackson before U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate.

Hood is being supported by attorneys general from Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington. In a brief written by the Kentucky attorney general’s office, those officials say that if Google wins, it will hurt all states’ ability to investigate.

“It also could jeopardize each and every attorney general’s ability to investigate and enforce violations of his or her state’s consumer protection laws by Google or any other company hosting internet content, thereby jeopardizing each and every attorney general’s ability to protect the public from false, misleading and deceptive business practices by such companies,” the brief states.

Another brief, filed by the Digital Citizens Alliance and other groups opposed to child indecency and illegal drug sales, says that Google’s previous $500 million settlement with the federal government in 2011 should put to rest any claim that Google can’t be investigated again over similar issues. There, Google settled claims over ads sold to pharmacies that were illegally shipping drugs into the United States.

“Google’s previous settlement with the Department of Justice should eliminate any serious argument that Google’s business model makes it immune from legitimate investigation,” the groups said. “The Justice Department could not have reached that half a billion dollar settlement if the courts had enjoined the investigation in its infancy out of premature concerns that the investigation would inevitably run afoul of federal law and the Constitution.”

Hood has argued that the time to claim immunity would be after his investigation turns up some facts. That point is echoed by a brief filed by the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition.

“It is only after the facts are gathered, and there is an evidentiary record – not before – that a proper determination can be made as to whether certain conduct is actionable, or whether it may be protected by the Communications Decency Act or other laws,” the coalition wrote.

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By Floyd Ingram

Chickasaw Journal

PITTSBORO – A Vardaman coach will be in court Wednesday morning for a probable cause hearing after allegations surfaced last week of inappropriate contact with a student.

Calhoun County School officials and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department have been tight-lipped about the incident and declined to answer questions about the situation when contacted last week.

“We are not releasing the names of anyone involved with this at this time,” said Calhoun County Sheriff Greg Pollan. “The people involved will be named in court tomorrow.”

Pollan said under Mississippi law, school teachers and law enforcement officers working in the scope of their job can’t have charges filed against them until a probable cause hearing has been held.

The intent of the law is to keep parents from filing assault charges against a teacher should their child be spanked and to prevent vindictive charges being filed against law enforcement officers making an arrest.

The probable cause hearing is slated for 10 a.m. Wednesday in Pittsboro before Circuit Court Judge Kelly Luther.

Pollan said Tuesday morning that no one had been arrested or charged at that time.

“We began our investigation on Thursday,” said Pollan. “We will present our evidence and what we found in our investigation.”

Probable cause hearings usually seek to determine if a crime was committed and look at initial evidence. The hearing can also determine the exact charge, bail and in what jurisdiction the case will be heard.

Physical evidence, forensic evidence or testimony can be presented at a probable cause hearing.

Pollan said Wednesday’s hearing will be open to the public.

The post Probable cause hearing set for Vardaman coach appeared first on Chickasaw Journal.

By Floyd Ingram

Chickasaw Journal

PITTSBORO – A Vardaman coach was formally charged and arrested Wednesday morning after allegations of inappropriate contact with a student were reported last week to authorities.

Billy Joe Dill, Jr., 36, a softball coach at Vardaman High School, was charged with fondling, sexual battery and enticement of a child in Calhoun County Circuit Court Wednesday morning with bond set at $80,000 on each count.

Dill waived his right to a probable cause hearing and Judge Kelly Luther then set Dill’s arraignment for April 20. Luther said the Calhoun County Grand Jury had convened this week and could hear the evidence and return an indictment this month. That could see the case presented in Calhoun County Circuit Court in November.

Luther said Dill is to have no contact with the alleged victim, the alleged victim’s family or any student at Vardaman High School.

Dill’s attorney Marty Haug, of Starkville, would not comment on why the decision was made to waive the probable cause hearing allowed teachers and law enforcement, when allegations of a crime are leveled at them.

“We do anticipate a not guilty plea,” said Haug. “I will not comment on details of the case.”

Calhoun County Sheriff Greg Pollan said the incident allegedly occurred March 16 on school grounds. He said the incident was reported to an assistant teacher, who told school personnel, who contacted law enforcement.

Pollan said he did not know why the lag in reporting the incident to authorities, and it was only after the victim came forward that he began his investigation on April 2.

“Our investigation is continuing and these are very serious charges,” said Pollan. “Anytime a person of authority has these kind of allegations brought up it upsets the community and there is a lot of speculation.

“It will now move through the system,” he added. “Like I said, our investigation is continuing and we don’t know if there are other victims out there. We are asking anyone with information about this case or possibly another incident to contact our office immediately.”

Calhoun County Prosecuting Attorney Tina Scott would also not comment on details of the case.

“These cases are very sensitive and we need to respect the rights of the victim and understand the Constitution also protects the person charged,” said Scott. “We are seeking to minimize the impact on the victim and don’t want to stir up the community.

“There are no winners in cases like this,” she said. “We will present this case, like all cases we bring before this court, in a just and right manner.”

The post Vardaman softball coach arrested appeared first on Chickasaw Journal.

By Floyd Ingram

Chickasaw Journal

HOUSTON – Will Porter plead guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in Chickasaw County Circuit Court on the last day of the March term.

The case stems from the death of Amanda Porter, 23, who was found stabbed at her home in Houston in January 2013. Porter, 29, was charged in February 2013 with murder in connection to that incident.

Porter initially appeared before Circuit Court Judge John Gregory, plead guilty and said he wanted the death penalty. Gregory ordered Porter to undergo a mental evaluation after that appearance.

Two doctors testified on March 30 that Porter was competent and understood the charges against him.

Authorities were initially called to a report of a car on fire near Pumphrey’s Grocery about 5:30 a.m., that Sunday in February 2013 and their investigation led to a home at 1688 Highway 8 East and upon entry found Amanda Porter had been stabbed.

Sheriff’s deputies developed Will Porter as a suspect and he was detained about 30-minutes later. A weapon believed to have been used in the crime was recovered.

It was the county’s first homicide in almost two years.

Porter’s plea brought to a close the last of three 2013 homicide cases brought before the court.

Capital murder charges were filed in against Gregory Mitchell, 32, in connection with the stabbing death of William Ray “Shorty” Bevill in his home April 15, 2013. Mitchell was sentenced to life in September 2014.

Brecker Johnson, 39, pled guilty to the reduced charge of manslaughter in March 2014 and was sentenced as a habitual offender to 20-years with no opportunity for parole in the murder of John L. Wofford in Woodland in August 2013.

Cases on the March docket of Circuit Court in Houston by defendant name, charge, bond and status are:

• Claude Adams, plead guilty to Uttering Forgery and was sentenced to 3 years with three years suspended and ordered to pay $9,677 in fees, fines and restitution.

• Etienne Adams, Possession of Controlled Substance, no bond listed.

• Christopher Anderson, Grand Larceny, $10,000, continued.

• Jeremy Bailey, Sale of Hydromorphon, $40,000, continued.

• Frank Bean, Simple Burglary, no bond listed, continued.

• Jonathan D. Box, plead guilty to Burglary and Embezzlement and was sentenced to seven years on each count and ordered to pay $11,088.50 in restitution and $1,202 in fees and fines.

• A.D. Boyd, Simple Assault, no bond listed, continued.

• Bradley J. Buchanan, Grand Larceny, no bond listed, continued.

• Dennis Burns plead guilty to Taking a Motor Vehicle and was sentenced to five years with the balance not served suspended and ordered to pay $6,133.50 in restitution, fees and fines.

• Tyiesha Shanee Buxton, plead guilty to Felony DUI and was sentenced to five years suspended and one year house arrest. She was ordered to pay $4,233 in fees and fines.

• Christy Clark, Aggravated Assault, $10,000 bond, continued.

• Kelvin Crawford, Sale of Cocaine, no bond listed, continued.

• Aliza Cross, Sale of Hydrocodone, $20,000 bond, continued.

• Steve Dodson plead guilty to DUI 3^rd and was sentenced to five years, four suspended, one to serve and ordered to pay $4,135.50 in fees and fines.

• Tarius Gettys, Attempted Sexual Battery, no bond listed, continued.

• Scottie Gillespie, Sale of Methamphetamine, no bond listed, continued.

• Scottie Gillespie, Sale of Methamphetamine, no bond listed, continued.

• Raymond Green, Sale of Hydrocodone, no bond listed, continued.

• Henry Harris, Burglary of a Commercial Building, $25,000 bond, continued.

• Mike Hatchett, Sale of Cocaine, $20,000 bond, continued, continued.

• Shelia Heafner, Possession of Methamphetamine with intent, $25,000, continued.

• Angel Hicks, Grand Larceny, $20,000 bond, continued.

• Dexter Holmes, Possession of Controlled Substance, no bond listed, continued.

• J.B Holmes, Aggravated Assault and Kidnapping, $25,000 bond, continued.

• Jimmie Houston, Sale of Hydrocodone, $10,000 bond, continued.

• Julius Howard, Possession of a Controlled Substance, $10,000 bond, continued.

• Jay Ivy, Sale of Fentanyl, $60,000 bond, continued.

• Steve Johnson, Possession of Methamphetamine, $15,000, continued.

• Russell Kilgore, Touching a Child for Lustful Purposes, $5,000 bond, continued.

• Richard Kimble, plead guilty to Sexual Battery and was sentenced to 30 years, 18 suspended, 12 to serve and ordered to pay $2,833 in fees and fines.

• Robert Lacey, plead guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine and was sentenced to 3 years, three suspended and ordered to pay $4,408.50 in fees and fines.

• Annie Marizette, Possession of Marijuana, $20,000, continued.

• Christopher McKinney, Sale of Cocaine, $20,000 bond, continued.

• Christopher McKinney, Sale of Cocaine, $20,000 bond, continued.

• Tyler Steven Miller, plead guilty Burglary of a Commercial Building and was sentenced to 5 years with the balance of not served suspended, no fees or fines listed.

• Lewis Moore, Burglary Automobile, $5,000, continued.

• Justin Mosley, Sale of Marijuana, no bond listed, continued.

• Justin Mosley, Sale of Marijuana, $20,000 bond, continued.

• Michael Moss, plead guilty to four counts of Fondling and was sentenced to 15 years, 10 suspended, five to serve and ordered to pay $2,633.50 in fees and fines.

• Teresa Ann Murphy, Aggravated Assault, $25,000, continued.

• Whitney Patton, Possession of Cocaine, $20,000, continued.

• Jeffery Phillips, Fraud, $5,000, continued.

• William W. Pickens, Felony DUI, $5,000 bond, continued.

• Chris Pratt, charges of Aggravated Assault were retired to the files due to lack of cooperation from the victim.

• Joseph Pratt, plead guilty to Sale of Cocaine and was sentenced to 8 years, 1 suspended, 7 to serve and ordered to pay $2,608.50 in fees and fines.

• James Pulliam, Sale of a Controlled Substance Oxycodone, $20,000 bond, continued.

• Reginold M. Richardson, Fleeing Law Officer, $10,000 bond, continued.

• Cedric Robinson, Sale of MDMA, $20,000 bond, continued.

• Gregory Smith, Felony Child Abuse, two counts, $12,500 bond, continued.

• Gregory Smith, Felony Child Abuse, no bond listed, continued.

• Myron Wade, Possession of Precursors, no bond listed, continued.

• Kelly Warren, received an order of dismissal for Controlled Substance in Correctional Facility.

• Sammy Washington, plead guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine, sentenced to 3 years and ordered to pay $2,208.50 in fees and fines.

• Cori Lynn Watkins, Child Endangerment, $12,000, continued.

• Ronald Scott Wofford, Burglary of a Dwelling, no bond, continued.

• Ontario “Tario” Woodard, Sale of Marijuana, no bond listed, continued.

The post William Porter pleads guilty appeared first on Chickasaw Journal.

PITTSBORO – A Vardaman coach was formally charged and arrested Wednesday morning after allegations of inappropriate contact with a student were reported last week to authorities.

Billy Joe Dill, Jr., 36, a softball coach at Vardaman High School, was charged with fondling, sexual battery and enticement of a child in Calhoun County Circuit Court Wednesday morning with bond set at $80,000 on each count.

Dill waived his right to a probable cause hearing and Judge Kelly Luther then set Dill’s arraignment for April 20. Luther said the Calhoun County Grand Jury had convened this week and could hear the evidence and return an indictment this month. That could see the case presented in Calhoun County Circuit Court in November.

Luther said Dill is to have no contact with the alleged victim, the alleged victim’s family or any student at Vardaman High School.

Dill’s attorney Marty Haug, of Starkville, would not comment on why the decision was made to waive the probable cause hearing allowed teachers and law enforcement, when allegations of a crime are leveled at them.

“We do anticipate a not guilty plea,” said Haug. “I will not comment on details of the case.”

Calhoun County Sheriff Greg Pollan said the incident allegedly occurred March 16 on school grounds. He said the incident was reported to an assistant teacher, who told school personnel, who contacted law enforcement.

Pollan said he did not know why the lag in reporting the incident to authorities, and it was only after the victim came forward that he began his investigation on April 2.

“Our investigation is continuing and these are very serious charges,” said Pollan. “Anytime a person of authority has these kind of allegations brought up it upsets the community and there is a lot of speculation.

“It will now move through the system,” he added. “Like I said, our investigation is continuing and we don’t know if there are other victims out there. We are asking anyone with information about this case or possibly another incident to contact our office immediately.”

Calhoun County Prosecuting Attorney Tina Scott would also not comment on details of the case.

“These cases are very sensitive and we need to respect the rights of the victim and understand the Constitution also protects the person charged,” said Scott. “We are seeking to minimize the impact on the victim and don’t want to stir up the community.

“There are no winners in cases like this,” she said. “We will present this case, like all cases we bring before this court, in a just and right manner.”

The post Vardaman softball coach arrested appeared first on Chickasaw Journal.

McDonald

Special to the Chickasaw Journal

JACKSON – A Chickasaw County man will have to spend the next five years in prison after the Mississippi Court of Appeals ruled against him.

On Tuesday, the court affirmed the decision of the Chickasaw County Circuit Court to revoke the probation of Donnie McDonald, 57, and sentence him to five years in prison.

McDonald pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of precursors in 2010 and was sentenced to 20 years, suspended, and five years of probation. In December 2012, he was arrested and charged with possession of felony amounts of marijuana and methamphetamine with intent to distribute both.

After a probation revocation hearing, the trial court ordered McDonald to serve five years of the original 20-year sentence, with 15 suspended. He appealed the decision, in part saying he was denied due process.

The higher court disagreed. In his opinion, Chief Judge Joseph Lee noted that McDonald failed three drug tests and twice failed to complete a drug treatment program while on probation. He added that McDonald was arrested with felony amounts of marijuana and methamphetamine.

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Daily Journal

JACKSON – The Mississippi Court of Appeals has upheld a Calhoun County civil judgment over the death of cattle.

James May filed three separate complaints in 2011 alleging Clemmie Walker’s three pit bulls killed his cattle.

The cases were combined and in January 2013, Calhoun Circuit Court ruled May was entitled to $10,500 in damages and $4,000 in attorney’s fees.

Walker appealed, saying there was insufficient evidence his dogs killed the cattle.

The appeal also argued a game warden’s testimony should have been excluded, since he was not qualified as an expert witness.

The appeals court found no errors and affirmed the circuit court’s judgment on Tuesday.

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