Lee County Sheriff's Department News Room

2/10/12 Sheriff honored by ESGR

Sheriff Johnson was awarded the ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves)'s Pro Patria Award in Jackson today. The "Pro Patria Award" is presented annually by each ESGR Committee to the one employer in their state or territory who has provided the most exceptional support of our national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Sheriff Johnson was nominated by Deputy Kerry Reddick, who is an active member of the Mississippi National Guard. This award is the highest award that is offered to an employer by ESGR. The Sheriff and Deputy Reddick are pictured above with newly appointed Adjunct General of the Mississippi National Guard.

1/09/12

On January 9, 2010, the Lee Co. Sheriff's Criminal Investigation Division has charged two individuals with False Personation. These two individuals are accused of contacting scrap dealers and selling other person's property. They also attempted to sell land and a house. None of the property in question belonging to the individuals. More cases will be presented against these individuals at the next Grand Jury. The two individuals are father and son.

Jeffery Gassaway, 48 yrs of age, Tupelo, MS	Letaurio Walker, 26 yrs of age, Tupelo, MS
Charge: 1 x False Personation Bond: $100,000	Charge: 3 x False Personation Bond: $300,000 Subject was out on bond for 3x Grand Larceny

12/17/11

We are saddened at the loss of one of our long-time K-9s, Baco, due to natural causes. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his partner, Deputy Sam Riley.

11/21/11

Fredrick W Douglas - 52 yoa 125 Cove Lane, Apt. 23, Tupelo, MS Charge: Possession of Cocaine Bond: $ 250,000	Shonta Grice - 31 yoa No address available Charge: Possession of Cocaine Bond: $250,000

Seized: One half oz (14 gr) of crack cocaine, two sets of digital scales, 9mm pistol, $2,436 US currency.

The Lee County Sheriff's Department/North MS Narcotics Unit conducted a search warrant at 125 Cove Lane, Apt. #3, Tupelo, MS and arrested suspects above. These arrests are the result of a lengthy investigation in which Agents determined that this location was being used as a distribution point for crack cocaine. DOUGLAS is also currently on probation with the MS Department of Corrections.

11/15/11

Amber N Moss, 22 yoa, Guntown, MS	Melena L Craig, 23 yoa, Guntown, MS

On 11-15-11, while assisting Union Co. Detectives in execution of a search warrant in Guntown, MS, Lee County Investigators found six children living in unsuitable conditions. The children ranged in age from 1 to 4 years old.

Charge: Three counts of Child Depravation each

Both suspects were given a $500,000 bond.

11/15/11

Lee County 911 advised our department of a shooting that occurred in the city of Tupelo this evening. Deputies were familiar with one of the suspects and were able to make contact with him. The suspect, Adrian Richey, was taken into custody without incident. Deputies stood by with the vehicle until Tupelo Police Investigators process the evidence.

11/14/11

Johnny Crane, 45 yoa Plantersville, MS 2x Convicted Felon, currently on MDOC probation Charge: 7 counts of Burglary of a Dwelling  Bond: 1,000,000	Rachel Crane, 37 yoa Plantersville, MS 2x convicted felon Charge: 6 counts of Burglary of a Dwelling Bond: 500,000

Jessie White, 19 yoa Plantersville, MS Charge: 2 counts of Burglary of a Dwelling Bond: 100,000	Barry Gene Sullivan, 19 yoa Plantersville, MS Charge: 2 counts of Burglary of a Dwelling Bond: 100,000

An ongoing investigation over the last two months led to five suspects being arrested and charged. Four are pictured above and the fifth suspect is a juvenile.Tips from citizens in the community greatly assisted in the course of the investigation.Other felony theft and burglary charges are expected to be brought against the suspects

11/10/11

Jewel R Pearson, 29 years old, Verona, MS	Patricia N. Williams, 23 years old, Verona, MS
Charge: Arson 1st Degree x 2 Bond: $150,000	Charge: Arson 1st Degree x 1 Bond: $5,000

On 7/7/11 a call was made to Lee County 911 regarding an apartment fire in Verona, MS. Verona Fire Department responded and found two apartments were on fire simultaneously. Both apartments were vacant of occupants at the time of the fires. The Lee County Sheriff's Department, along with the State Fire Marshall's Office, investigated the fire leading to the arrest of Mr. Pearson and Miss Williams.

10/21/11

On Thursday, October 20, 2011, the Lee County Sheriff's Department/North MS Narcotics Unit conducted a search warrant at 133 Apartment Drive, Apt #46, Shannon, MS, and arrested Shawan L. Martin for Possession of Marijuana with intent to distribute. In the past week Agents received information from an out of state law enforcement agency that Martin was involved in the distribution of marijuana in the Shannon, MS area, which initiated the investigation by the North MS Narcotics Unit. The ensuing investigation led Agents to a search of the residence in which Agents discovered a set of digital scales and approximately 9.5 lbs of marijuana that was packaged in several different items.

Arrested: Shawn L Martin - 34 years old - 133 Apartment Dr., Apt #46, Shannon, MS

Charge: Possession of Marijuana with intent to distribute

Bond: $300,000

9/29/11

The Lee County Sheriff’s Department has been conducting an undercover investigation for the past few weeks where Mr. Brown was a suspect in a case that involved the viewing and downloading of child pornography. The investigation revealed that Mr. Brown was visiting several sights on the internet that are known to produce child pornography and then would download those images to a personal drive. The Lee County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation and Patrol Division arrested Mr. Brown during a traffic stop on September 28, 2011. The Lee County Sheriff’s Department executed two search warrants on September 28, 2011 where electronic equipment was taken and will be analyzed by Lee County Sheriff’s Department Cyber Crime Division. Tupelo Cyber Crime and Mississippi Bureau of Investigations assisted this investigation. The case will also be looked at by United States Department of Justice for Federal actions.

Brad Brown, 237 CR 413, Houlka, MS, 46 years of age Charge: Possession of Child Pornography Bond: $25,000

9/13/11

Steven Dewayne Metcalf, 128 CR 892, Tupelo, 38801 - 46 years old Charge: 4 counts of Possession of Child Pornography Bond: $ 100,000 Bond (professional only)

9/12/11

On September 9, 2011, the Lee Co. Sheriff's Department/North MS Narcotics Unit conducted a search warrant at 112 Brevard Place and arrested Eric D Riley for Possession of Crack Cocaine with intent to distribute. This arrest is the result of a month long investigation in which Agents discovered that Eric Riley was a major crack cocaine supplier in the Barley Court Apartments as well as the Verona, Tupelo, and Lee County area. Agents seized approximately 4 grams of crack cocaine, a set of digital scales, and $743, which is believed to be associated with the distribution of crack cocaine.

Eric D. Riley - 32 years old, 112 Brevard Place, Tupelo, MS Charge: Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute Bond: $ 80,000

New:    LEE COUNTY SHERIFF TAKING BACK UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS OCT 28th AT THE LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

[Lee County, MS] On Friday, Oct 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the Lee County Sheriff's Department, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal to the Lee County Sheriff's Department at 510 N. Commerce Street, Tupelo, MS. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Last September, Americans turned in 242,000 pounds of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash both pose potential safety and health hazards.
Four days after last fall's event, Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an ultimate user of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them. The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents' controlled substances in certain instances. DEA has begun drafting regulations to implement the Act, a process that can take as long as 24 months. Until new regulations are in place, local law enforcement agencies like the Lee County Sheriff Department and the DEA will continue to hold prescription drug take-back events every few months.

8/26/11

On August 26, 2011, Derwin L. Weaver aka "Big Funk" was sentenced in Lee County Circuit Court to serve 10 years in the MS Dept. of Corrections. Weaver, whom is from Texas, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana (12 lbs) with intent to distribute during October 2010 by the Lee County Sheriff's Department/North MS Narcotics Unit at a residence located in Shannon, MS. During this investigation it was determined that Weaver was involved in the transportation and distribution of large quantities of marijuana to this area.

Sentenced: Derwin L Weaver, 39 years old Charge: Possession of Marijuana with intent to distribute

8/12/11

On August 11, 2011, the Lee County Sheriff's Department/North MS Narcotics Unit conducted a search warrant at 515 CR 1451, Saltillo and arrested Randy R Trulove for possession of methamphetamine. Agents had received information from several sources that Trulove was involved in illegal drug activity at his residence. During the search of the residence Agents discovered methamphetamine as well as some of the items and apparatuses used in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine. Trulove is currently under the supervision of the MS Department of Corrections for similar drug charges.

Randy R. Trulove, 48 yrs old, 515 CR 1451, Saltillo, MS Charges: Possession of Methamphetamine Bond: $100,000

8/03/11

Tamra Kay Biffle, age 49 of Tupelo, was arrested today on two grand jury indictments for felony false pretense and five counts of misdemeanor bad checks. Bond on the two felony false pretense charges was set at 6,000.00 and bond on the five misdemeanor bad checks was set at 800.00. A tip called in to our office by one of Ms. Biffle's victims led to her arrest.

7/22/11 

Arrangements have been made for detention officer, Patrick Loyd, who passed away last  night in a tragic accident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those involved, their families and their friends. Waters Funeral Home in Baldwyn - Visitation Saturday 5pm-8pm - Funeral Sunday 2pm

7/19/11 Narcotics Arrest

On July 19th at approximately 2:00 PM, the Lee County Sheriff’s Department and Agents with the North MS Narcotics Unit arrested Gagandeep Singh at 1484 Hwy 348 Guntown (Quikmart gas station) for the Sale of Pseudoephedrine (two indictments) and for the sale of heroin (one indictment). This arrest occurred after the Lee County Grand Jury indicted Gagandeep Singh who is the owner/operator of the store for the above drug related charges. This concludes a several month long investigation into the illegal distribution of pseudoephedrine (which is a methamphetamine precursor) and heroin from the Hwy 348 location in Guntown.

Gagandeep Singh

7/13/11 Suspect Arrested in Infant's Death

On 7/2/11 at approximately 11:30am, 911 dispatched the Lee County Sheriff's Department to CR 300 in Shannon. Upon arrival NMMC paramedics and emergency personnel were trying to revive the 2year old child. The child, Kamri Stoby, was transported and later pronounced dead at NMMC. The Coroner sent the body for an autopsy and the State Medical Examiner determined that the child died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen area. Our investigation revealed that on July 2, Mr. Owens was the primary caregiver for the victim and other juvenile children when the injuries were sustained. An emergency hearing was held and the remaining juveniles were placed by DFCS with a designated caregiver.

Andrew D Owens, 491 CR 300, Shannon, MS Charge: Depraved Heart Murder Bond $1,000,000

6/28/11 Burglary Suspects Captured

Early Monday morning, 6/27/11, a resident in Saltillo called 911 and reported a suspicious vehicle in their neighborhood. Saltillo PD and the Lee County Sheriff's Department responded and located a vehilce occupied by four black males. Numerous cell phones, GPS units, cameras and other items were found in the vehicle. The suspects have been tied to burglaries in Lee County, Saltillo, Guntown, and Tupelo. Three of the suspects are adults, with two being prior convicted felons out on probabtion. One suspect is a 17 year old juvenile.

Deante T. Gammons 19 yoa 225 Faulkner Road Pontotoc, Ms 100,000 Bond	Michael J Ewing 20 yoa 2303 Millsap Tupelo, Ms $100,000 Bond	Marterius Sanders 20 yoa 108 Stone Drive Tupelo, MS $100,000 Bond
3 counts Burglary of Vehicle in Lee County, $50,000 bond.   3 counts Burglary of Vehicle in Saltillo, $50,000 bond	3 counts Burglary of Vehicle in Lee County, $50,000 bond.   3 counts Burglary of Vehicle in Saltillo, $50,000 bond	3 counts Burglary of Vehicle in Lee County, $50,000 bond.   3 counts Burglary of Vehicle in Saltillo, $50,000 bond

6/16/11

911 gave out a call of a long, yellow snake in a ditch crawling around next to the road. Deputy Seth Thomas arrived on scene and this is what was found. The snake was determined to be a pet and was returned, unharmed, to its owner.

6/15/11 Sexual Battery Arrest

Donald "Donnie" Weaver DOB 8/10/63 312 CR 115 Okolona, MS   1ct Sexual Battery $250,000 Bond

6/10/11 Narcotics Arrest

On 6/9/11, the Lee County Sheriff's Department/North MS Narcotics Unit conducted a search warrant at 104 Chip Dr., Verona, and arrested Charlie B. Macon for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute and resisting arrest. During the execution of the search warrant Macon attempted to evade arrest and destroy the evidence but agents and deputies were able to recover the evidence. This investigation by the Lee County Sheriff's Department and the North MS Narcotics Unit revealed that Charlie B Macon was involved in the distribution of crack cocaine from various locations in the Verona, MS area.

Charlie B. Macon, 34 years old, 5221 A. Raymond Ave., Verona, MS Charge: Possession of Crack Cocaine with intent to distribute Bond set at $70,000

NOTE: 5/15/11 to 6/6/11 Under Construction - We are rebuilding this section of the website due to information lost during a system/hosting company change.

5/6/11 Lee County Residents - Attention

We have recently caught two juveniles who have been hitting cars, mailboxes, and property with paintballs. If you have NOT reported damage that has occurred in the past couple of days, please contact our office at 662-680-5766.

4/13/11 Retirement Luncheon

Today we attended a retirement luncheon for one of our Educators, Angie Roberts, from the Juvenile Detention Center. We are so appreciative of all the time and effort she spent with the youth, both with the Lee County School system and the Lee County Sheriff''s Department. She will be greatly missed!  We wish her the best of luck!

UPDATE: CAPTURED 4/5/11!

4/5/11 WANTED

Wanted in connection with a murder around midnight on 4/4/11. Armed and dangerous. Please call662-680-5766 or 911 if you come in contact with this person or know if his whereabouts.

Keith Lamont Darby, last known address: 715 1/2 Rear Fulton, Greenwood, MS WANTED FOR MURDER. Subject should be considered armed and dangerous.

3/29/11 Arrest Made in Sexual Battery Case

On March 27th, 2011, the Lee County Sheriff''s Department was called to a possible sexual assault incident. Upon arrival officers were told a young child had possibly been sexually assaulted. It was reported that Rodney Eugene Walls hasd taken a 6 year old child from a house in the Shannon area without the parents'' knowledge. The child was then taken to an undisclosed location in Lee County where the child was sexually assaulted numerous times and then brought home. Based on information gathered during the investigation, Rodney Eugene Walls was arrested and charged. The Lee County Sheriff''s Department will pursue numerous indictments in the next Grand Jury as a habitual offender.

Rodney Eugene Walls, 30 yrs of age, Shannon, MS Charges: 2 counts of Sexual Battery to a Child Walls has three prior felony convictions.

3/15/11 Arrest Made in Enticement Case

MICHAEL HENSON, 724 LINCOLN DRIVE, STARKVILLE, MS,  25 YOA ENTICEMENT OF A CHILD TO MEET FOR SEXUAL PURPOSES ENTICEMENT OF A CHILD TO PRODUCE VISUAL DEPICTION OF SEXUAL $25,000 Bond

3/14/11    LEE COUNTY SHERIFF TAKING BACK UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS APRIL 30 AT THE LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

[Lee County, MS] On April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Lee County Sheriff's Department in partnership with D.A.R.E. America and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal to the Lee County Sheriff'S Department at 510 N. Commerce Street, Tupelo, MS. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
Last September, Americans turned in 242,000 poundsof prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicinesflushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash both pose potential safety and health hazards.
Four days after last fall's event, Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an ultimate user of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them. The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents' controlled substances in certain instances. DEA has begun drafting regulations to implement the Act, a process that can take as long as 24 months. Until new regulations are in place, local law enforcement agencies like the Lee County Sheriff Department and the DEA will continue to hold prescription drug take-back events every few months.

3/10/11 Arrests Made in Aggravated Assault and Armed Robbery Case

On March 9th, the two suspects, pictured below, went to CR 1412 to visit the victim. A 22 year old victim was severely beaten in the head with a crow bar. The victim suffered severe trauma to the head. After the assualt, the suspects ransacked the home and took several items, including the cell phone of the victim. The victim was later found laying in the home and called 911. The victim was transported to the NMMC, where he remains at the time of this posting.

Ryan R. Cortopassi, 29 yrs old, 231 Rankin Blvd, Tupelo Charge: Aggravated Assault & Armed Robbery Bond: $150,000	Jeremy M. Stephens, 26 yrs old, 1405 Baker St., Tupelo Charge: Aggravated Assault & Armed Robbery Bond: $150,000

Hitting the streets for drunk drivers

LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WTVA) -- Removing intoxicated drivers from our streets and highways is a top priority for law enforcement.

We recently spent a late night riding along with a Lee County deputy to show you just what police are up against.

In 2010 alone, 312 people were arrested on a DUI charge just in Lee County, and as your about to see this is a cat and mouse game with deadly consequences.

We begin at 10:30 on a Saturday night, and Deputy Matt Dickerson is looking to keep impaired drivers off the streets.

"Most of the time the folks that I deal with involves improper equipment, which upon investigations will lead into a DUI arrest," says Dickerson.

So that''s what we begin to look for: no tail lights, headlights, or even tag lights. For us the first few we stop are all sober, but at 11:30 that changes.

"Once I approached the vehicle I could smell a strong odor of an intoxicating-beverage coming from this person and coming from the vehicle," Dickerson adds.

This vehicle was pulled over for a missing tail light, but after questioning the driver deputies found there was more to it when the driver told deputies to arrest him for being drunk.''

After booking this suspected drunk driver, it was time to hit the streets again, and not even an hour later we found another driver who seemed to be over the limit.

"One of the indicators she gave was that she was driving real slow, she turned on her blinker of the wrong, and was trying to get off the roadway and avoid us," Dickerson tells us.

The field breath test revealed she was over the legal blood alcohol limit making two people we removed from our local streets.

The town seemed pretty quiet over the next few hours until just after 4 a.m. when a suspected drunk driver turned into a call for the K9 unit.

"We suspected that there was narcotics in the vehicle. We had the assistance of the Tupelo Police Department to come down with their K9," says Dickerson. "The K9 indicated there was narcotics in the vehicle, but our search came up negative that there were any narcotics present at that time."

No drugs turned up, but it was another possible impaired driver off the roads totaling three for the night.

"Approximately ten percent of all accidents involve an alcohol related death. Every 40 to 45 minutes some dies in result from a DUI death."
 

3/02/11

Sheriff says everything now okay in Mooreville
Reported by: Justin Lewis
Reported by: WTVA News
Last Update: 12:05 pm

MOOREVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) -- Lee County authorities responded to a shooting in the Mooreville area Wednesday morning.

It was initially believed a man was shooting at a bank outside his home, but it turned he was firing a rifle at bottles in an open field.

Authorities say at one time the Mooreville Schools were put on lock down as deputies tried to determine what exactly was transpiring.

Police recovered eleven shell-casings from the rifle, and understand with the location this situation could have been much worse.

"Well you''ve got a four-way intersection at Highway 178 and 371, where there''s a lot of traffic," says Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson.

"You've got County Road 1310, a bank, a restaurant across the street, and people intermingling. This thing could've been very tragic if we hadn't gotten our hands on him or if one of those bullets would''ve misfired or something ."

Johnson adds the man will be initially charged with simple assault.

2/28/11 Narcotics Arrest

 On 02/28/2011 at approximately 3:00pm, Agents with the North MS. Narcotics unit and Deputies with the Lee County Sheriffs Department arrested Karlton Flemings at 110 Buck Road, Verona, MS. Agents arrested Karlton Fleming during a surveillance operation where agents witnessed Flemings attempting to sale ├é┬╜ ounce of cocaine on Buck road in Verona. It was discovered during the investigation that Karlton Fleming was selling ├é┬╜ and whole ounces of cocaine in the Verona and Tupelo area.

Karlton Flemings, 28 years old, 1136 Hilda Ave. Tupelo, MS

Charge: Possession of Cocaine with intent to distribute Note: The suspect is currently on House arrest for a prior drug conviction, and will be processed by the MS Department of Corrections for violating the terms of his house arrest.

2/22/11 Narcotics Arrest

On Friday, February 18th 2011 at approximately 2:00 P.M. Agents with the Lee County Sheriff’s Department/North MS Narcotics Unit served a search warrant at 136 CR#1946 Saltillo, and arrested Lana Gardner for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. During a search of the residence agents seized approximately 6 grams of methamphetamine (ice) along with a set of digital scales, and packaging material. This arrest was the result of a several month long investigation into the distribution of Methamphetamine (ice) in the Saltillo area.

Lana Gardner,  42 years old, 136 CR#1946 Saltillo, MS Charge: Possession of Methamphetamine with intent to distribute  Bond: $15,000

2/17/11 Arrest

James H. Bystrom, 37 y.o.a., 1736 Micel Henney, Decatur, MS

Charge: Enticement of a child to meet for sexual purposes Bond: $15,000

2/16/11 Roundup

wtva - Lee County Sheriff''s deputies hit the streets Wednesday to arrest men and women who owe back child support.

The deputies split up in teams of five, after receiving a briefing from Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson.

Twenty-nine people owe thousands of dollars in back child support. Johnson says these are people who have been ordered to pay but didn''t.

"These are people who have missed court date after court date. Some of them have not paid in years," said Johnson.

WTVA rode along with Deputy Len Schaefer and his team.

It took the deputies about an hour to locate and arrest one suspect.

We later learned this was normal.

"A lot of times, these people have moved multiple times in the last year," said Schaefer.

Deputies arrested Michael Tidwell who they say owes more than $3,000 in back child support.

He will remain in the Lee County Detention Center until he pays the balance in full.

In all, deputies arrested six people Wednesday who owe a total of $60,000 in back child support.

2/15/11 - Arrest

James A. Richardson 1636 Hwy 178 W Myrtle, Ms

Enticement of a child to meet for sexual purposes   $15,000 Bond

2/9/11 - Burglary Suspect Arrested

On 1/18/11 the Lee County Sheriff''s Dept responded to a call of a burglary in progress at Evans Grocery in the Palmetto area. Upon arrival, the owner stated that he found two suspects in his business. When the owner made contact with he suspects, they fled to a vehicle. The owner then shot out two tires on the suspect''s vehicle. Officers then tracked the suspect vehicle by following the rim imprints in the road. The vehicle was found in Verona, but the suspects fled. Further investigation found the identity of one of the suspects was arrested on 2-07-11 on a traffic stop by Plantersville Police Department. Two other stores were attempted to be broken into the same night byt the same suspects. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of the second suspect.

Antonio Maurice Smith, 24 years of age - Shannon, MS

Charges: Burglary of Commercial Building, Attempted Burglary of Commerical Building Bond: $200,000

2/07/11  Arrest - Enticement of a child to meet for sexual purposes

Bruce N. Lannet, 26 years old 2151 Bluegoose Road Sarah, MS

Charge: Enticement of a child to meet for sexual purposes Bond: $50,000

1/22/11 - Narcotics Arrest

On 1-20-2011 the Shannon Police Department (School Resource Officer), the Lee County Sheriff''s Department, and the North MS Narcotics Unit arrested Bradley W. South for possession of hydrocodone, with the intent to distribute. The charge will be enhanced due to the fact that the crime took place at one of the local high schools.

Bradley W. South, 20 years old 1067 Elvis Presley, Tupelo, MS Charge: Possession of Hydrocodone with intent to distribute (enhanced)

1/21/2011 - Travel Caution

Temperatures are expected to fall below the freezing mark tonight. Bridges may ice. Please be cautious when traveling.

1/19/2011 Suspect Charged With Felony Child Abuse

On 1-17-11, the Lee County Sheriff''s Department was contacted about a possible child abuse case. The Lee County Criminal Investigation Division immediately started an investigation and it was determined that a 10 month old child had severe trauma to the head. The child was treated and transferred to LeBonheur Children''s Hospital in Memphis where the child is listed in critical condition. Jimmy Whitfield, the boyfriend to the child''s mother, was arrested and charges were filed.

Jimmy Whitfield, 27 yrs old, Tupelo, MS

Charge: Felony Child Abuse      Bond:  $ 250,000

1/19/2011 Homicide Suspect Charged

On 1-17-11 at 6:50pm, Lee Communications (911) dispatched Lee County Deputies to 635 CR 1503 to a possible shooting. Upon arrival, deputies observed one male lying in the doorway and was non-responsive. Another male was on the scene and was taken into custody after a brief standoff. The victim was later identified as Craig Mike, age 47, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, below, was identified as Freddy Kennedy, age 64.

Freddy Kennedy, Age 64, Baldwyn

Charge: Murder      Bond:  $ 1,000,000

1/12/11 Project ChildSafe Firearm Safety Kits Available

We will provide free firearm safety kits to interested Lee County residents through a partnership with Project ChildSafe, the nationwide safety education program. The safety kits, which include gun locks, will be available at the sheriff''s department during normal business hours. (M-F 8am - 5pm) They should arrive within one week to our department. Feel free to contact us at 662-841-9040 to get more information.

Project ChildSafe, a program developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), has distributed more than 35 million firearm safety kids throughout the country since 2003. The program is funded by a U.S. Department of Justice grant, with additional funding by the firearms industry.

"We encourage residents to pick up a Project ChildSafe safety kit so that they can securely store their firearm(s)," says Sheriff Jim Johnson. "Each kit contains a safety curriculum and a cable-style gun lock. The locks fit on most types of handguns, rifles and shotguns. The goal is to prevent a child or any unauthorized person from accessing a firearm in your home."

"We are pleased to have the Lee County Sheriff''s Department as a Project ChildSafe partner," said Bill Brassard, Jr., Director of Project ChildSafe.  "Project ChildSafe is an important step forward in helping ensure that all firearm owners have the means for safe handling and storage of firearms."

1/11/10 - Update 1:30pm

Most roads are clear but there are still patches of ice on bridges and some roads. Leave in plenty of time to make your destination. Please make sure your car is full of gas and take cell phone with you if you must travel.

1/10/11 - Update - 11:00am

We received roughly 8 to 10 inches of snow last night. Travel is still discouraged. Please check your media outlets for closings and road conditions.

1/09/11 - Weather Update - 5:00pm

Bridges are iced and travel is discouraged. Feel free to contact our office for further updates on road conditions. 662-680-5766.  Updates will also be posted on our Facebook page.

1/05/11 - Burglary Suspects Captured 

Matthew Blanchard, 26 years old - Mantachie	Caleb Long, 20 years old - Mantachie
Bond: $10,000	Bond: $10,000
Haley Peacock, 19 years old - Water Valley	Brandon Steed, 24 years old - Sherman
Bond: $10,000	Bond: $10,000

Sometime shortly after midnight on January 3rd, D&B Grocery located at 109 Hwy 371 in Lee County was burglarized.

With the help of Mantachie Police Chief Dick Erickson and Itawamba Co. Sheriff Chris Dickerson and his deputies, all four suspects were in custody by early morning of the same day.

The burglary was planned in Mantachie to break into this store and steal some Ivory Wave or Plant Food. One of the suspects in this case had purchased some earlier in the day from this store. They wanted some more but didn’t have any money.

The female, Haley Peacock, provided the vehicle and lookout, along with Brandon Steed. Caleb Long and Matthew Blanchard exited the vehicle to break into the building. Long actually went into the store from the roof but heard the alarm as he hit the floor of the store.

Long tried to exit the building through the front door by throwing the cash register through the glass but the iron door kept him inside. Long exited back through the entrance he came through.

One of the suspects, Haley Peacock, was located in a barn and arrested after she tried to outrun a Lee County Deputy. Long and Blanchard fled from the vehicle but were later arrested at their residence in Mantachie by Chief Erickson. Sneed turned himself in.

All suspects have been charged with Burglary of a Commercial Building

8/19/10

New machine makes fingerprinting easier, cleaner and ink-free

by Danza Johnson/NEMS Daily Journal
TUPELO A new computerized ink-free fingerprinting machine will save money, time and hand soap.

The Lee County Sheriff Department has purchased its second computerized Automated Fingerprinting Information System that will be for public use. The new $13,000 AFIS computer will alleviate the use of messy ink and paper for people who need to be fingerprinted for work and various reasons.

Sheriff Jim Johnson said the current fingerprinting system is tedious and prone to errors. On average, the jail fingerprints about 30 people a month.

With the ink it is messy and it's not always accurate, said Johnson. Ink smudges, and when the fingerprint smudges, it’s no good. But we don’t know that until we mail it off. When it doesn't take, it has to be mailed back to the person with the reason it was rejected and mailed back. The new AFIS computer will take care of all of that before the print is ever sent to the FBI database.

Fingerprints are scanned directly into the AFIS system and are sent directly to the FBI database in Jackson with the new machine, according to Johnson. A similar machine was purchased jointly by the sheriff and police departments recently to be used only for fingerprinting inmates.

Aside from saving money on ink and other supplies needed to operate the current machine, Johnson said instant fugitive notification will be part of the new system.

As soon as we put fingerprints in this machine we will immediately know if someone is wanted by another agency, said Johnson. When we do them by ink, we have to mail them off and the person is gone before the results are known. This new system will wipe out that time loop. If we put your fingerprint in the machine and you are wanted for it a crime, it will tell us.

The public-use machine is expected to be installed and operational in the coming days.

8/16/10

On 8/12/10 the Lee County Sheriff''s Department Criminal Investigation Division executed a search warrant on CR 506 in the Shannon area. Information for the search warrant was obtained from the two month long investigation into a theft ring in Lee County. During the search, numerous amount of merchandise were recovered and three arrests have been made, so far. More charges and more arrests are expected.

 8/11/2010 Murder for Hire

The Criminal Investigation Division was contacted by another Law Enforcement Agency about a possible murder for hire. Investigators talked with the informant and a sting operation was established. An undercover officer then contacted the suspects about what they wanted done. A meeting with the suspects was set up on 8/10/10. The undercover officer met with both suspects and a deal was made to have the ex-husband of one of the suspects killed for a set amount of property, drugs, and money. Both suspects were arrested on scene without incident.

SUSPECTS

Charges:
Conspiracy to commit murder (1 count each defendant)

Bond was set at $200,000 each.