Adam Robison | Buy at photos.djournal.com
Employees at Philips Lighting plant wait outside during a bomb threat to the factory Friday morning in Tupelo.

Daily Journal

TUPELO – A bomb threat forced employees of the former Day-Brite Lighting plant out into 40-degree weather Friday morning.

According to Tupelo Police Department spokesman Capt. Chuck McDougald, a bomb threat was called in to the Philips Lighting plant at 773 S. Green St. around 11 a.m. Employees in the administrative annex just south of the production facility evacuated the building while members of the TPD bomb squad searched the building.

A sweep of the building found no explosives and the employees were allowed back into the building around 11:45.

McDougald said TPD detectives will continue to investigate the threat for possible charges against the person who made the call.

COLUMBUS (AP) – An attorney says a Columbus man who’s charged with killing his own father acted in self-defense.

The victim was the 39-year-old son of Columbus Mayor Robert Smith, and the man charged is the mayor’s 20-year-old grandson.

Davius Roshard Smith was charged with murder Friday, two days after his father, Robert Smith Jr., was shot to death at the home where the two men lived.

A judge set bond at $100,000.

Defense attorney Rod Ray tells The Commercial Dispatch that Davius Smith is a college student who has “never been in trouble.” Ray says his client turned himself in to Mississippi Bureau of Investigation agents.

Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant says an autopsy shows Robert Smith Jr. was shot in the abdomen.

By Adam Armour

Itawamba County Times

Three people were hospitalized following a series of 18-wheeler accidents on I-22 near the Fawn Grove Exit on Thursday night.

Itawamba County dispatch confirmed that the chain of events began just before 7:30 p.m. A westbound 18-wheel truck carrying a load of bricks crossed the median, breaking through the cable guardrail system and entering the eastbound lane, dragging the metal cables of the guardrail with it. The truck then veered into the woods beyond the right-of-way before coming to a stop.

The metal cables were still in the highway when a second 18-wheeler, heading eastbound hauling a goose neck trailer, passed. This second truck became tangled in the metal cables, causing it to veer into the median.

The driver exited the cab of his truck and began attempting to untangle his vehicle from the loose cables. Itawamba County Sheriff Chris Dickinson, who was among the emergency personnel to respond to the accident, said the truck’s trailer was still partially in the road when the driver exited the vehicle.

Moments later, a third 18-wheeler, again eastbound, collided with the second. The driver of the second truck was struck by his own vehicle and thrown several feet.

The drivers of all three trucks were carried to North Mississippi Medical Center to be treated for their injuries, which the sheriff described as “non-life-threatening.”

I-22 remained at least partially closed for several hours as crews with the Mississippi Department of Transportation removed debris. The sheriff said several trees had to be cut down before the first truck could be removed.

“It was a big mess, but it could have been a lot worse,” Dickinson said.

YOUNG

DIGGS

Daily Journal

OXFORD – Two more people have been charged in connection with employees of a local moving company burglarizing a house.

On Nov. 16, burglars stole 13 firearms worth more than $26,000 from a residence on Lyles Drive in Oxford. Oxford police determined that employees of 3 Men Moving intentionally left a window unlocked. Darryl King, 20, and Christopher Shaw, 19, were arrested Dec. 2 and charged with grand larceny.

The continuing investigation led to the arrests of Nicholas Young, 22, and Christina Diggs, 22, both of Oxford. Young was identified as one of the burglars who entered the house. He was charged with burglary and bond set at $30,000. Since Young was on probation, the Mississippi Department of Corrections placed a hold on him. Police say that Diggs, Young’s girlfriend, transported several firearms to Aberdeen. She was also charged with burglary and her bond was set at $25,000.

Authorities are still searching for the others responsible for this burglary. Anyone with information regarding this case are asked to call the Oxford Police Department and speak with Detective Fortner (662-232-2400) or Crime Stoppers (662-234-8477)

By Ray Van Dusen

Monroe Journal

AMORY – The Amory Police Department is seeking information regarding a kidnapping/armed robbery case that happened Sunday night.

According to APD Investigator Don Merideth, the lone suspect approached two juveniles in the Subway parking lot on Highway 278 and forced entry into their vehicle. Armed with what is believed a black semi-automatic pistol, the suspect demanded they take him to an ATM.

“One of the juveniles said he had $6 in his account, so he told them to drive him to Chevron and buy him some stuff,” Merideth said.

After arriving at the Chevron station on Highway 278, one of the juveniles entered the store and reported the incident. Merideth said the suspect told the second juvenile in the vehicle to go check on the first juvenile because it was taking the first subject too long inside the store.

After the second juvenile entered the store, the suspect fled on foot from the scene. No injuries were reported in this case.

The suspect is described as a medium-built African-American male between 20 and 30 years of age, who is between 6-foot and 6-2 with a beard. He was wearing navy sweat pants, a light-colored vest, a hoodie and a striped toboggan with a ball on it.

This incident follows a Dec. 1 armed robbery of KFC. Merideth said the two cases are not believed to be connected at this point. The APD is still pursuing leads in the KFC case.

People are asked to report any suspicious activities and suspicious people in parking lots to the APD.

“A lot of times, people say the saw something but didn’t want to call us. Be very mindful of people wandering around and not having an objective of being in a parking lot. Let us check it out. If somebody taps on your car window, drive off and call us,” Merideth said.

Anyone with any information regarding either armed robbery case is asked to call 911 or the APD at 256-2676.

The suspect is seen entering the South Gloster Dollar General about an hour before it was robbed.

Daily Journal

TUPELO – Tupelo police now believe that the same man robbed a gas station and a Dollar General store three days later.

Police say a black male robbed the Sprint Mart store at 317 South Gloster St. on the evening of Dec. 10. He reportedly was wearing a brown wig. Around 4:30 p.m. Dec. 13, an armed man threatened an employee of Dollar General at 1706 South Gloster.

“In both instances the suspect attempted to disguise his face with a fake beard,” said Tupelo Police Department spokesman Capt. Chuck McDougald.

Surveillance camera footage not only shows the suspect without his disguise, it also identified two possible suspect vehicles. A silver or light gray Chevy Trailblazer or GMC Envoy could have been used in the Sprint Mart robbery. A white, four-door Toyota Camry with an emergency spare tire on the driver’s rear side was seen outside the Dollar General on Dec. 13.

In addition to these robberies, the police are also working the Sunday night armed robbery of the Dollar General at 5400 Cliff Gookin. That suspect is a black male with possible acne scars on his forehead.

“It is unknown if this suspect is connected with the Dec. 10 or Dec. 13 crimes,” McDougald said. “No was injured, and the suspect escaped with an undetermined amount of cash.”

Anyone with information about this suspect is asked to call TPD at (662) 841-6491 or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 773-TIPS.

By Tina Meadows

Southern-Sentinel

Right-of-way workers contracted by Tippah Electric discovered an unidentified body Monday in Dumas.

According to Tippah County Sheriff Department Investigator Jeremy Rainey, the remains were found in a wooded area off County Road 744 around 8:30 a.m. Rainey said due to the amount of decomposition, it is unclear if foul play was involved.

The body was transported to the state crime lab in Jackson Monday afternoon by Coroner Chris McCallister. McCallister is uncertain how long the body had been there due to the recent warm weather in the area. He said the body was “decomposed but not all the way.” He believes the body is male but is unsure.

The sheriff’s department is currently running down leads on missing persons. Rainey said the case is vague at this time and is waiting on the results from the crime lab’s investigation.

Daily Journal

STARKVILLE – Law enforcement are searching for the people responsible for vandalizing several areas of the Mississippi State University campus.

The phrases “#Failstate” and “Hotty Toddy” were spray painted in red on opposite sides of Davis Wade Stadium. “Go Rebs” was painted on the top of a concrete seating area along a sidewalk. “HYDR” was sprayed on a sign outside the school of architecture building.

School employees used a pressure washer to blast off the paint late Saturday morning.

Campus Police Chief Vance Rice stated the vandalism occurred early Saturday morning, most likely between midnight and 6 a.m. Officials hope security cameras located around the perimeter of the stadium will provide images of the vandals.

In Mississippi, malicious mischief carries up to a $1,000 fine and/or up to a year in jail. If the damage was more than $500, they could face felony charges, with up to a $10,000 fine and/or up to 5 years in prison.

MORENO

Daily Journal

OXFORD – A Panola County man was charged Monday for a restaurant fight from more than two years ago.

According to the Oxford Police Department, Enrique Moreno, 36, of Sardis, was involved in a fight May 24, 2014 at the El Milagro restaurant on West Jackson Street in Oxford. Mareno allegedly used a metal cane to hit a victim several times in the face, causing significant damage to the eye and cheek area.

The victim filed aggravated assault charges against Moreno at the time but he was never arrested and charged.

Moreno came to the police department Dec. 19 for an unrelated incident. While there, officers discovered he had an outstanding warrant. He was taken into custody and bond was set at $5,000.

By Jeff Amy

Associated Press

JACKSON – The government is opposing an attempt by a former Mississippi House member to withdraw his guilty plea in a prison corruption case.

Federal prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate on Monday to deny the move earlier this month by Cecil McCrory of Brandon to change his plea back to innocent and proceed to a jury trial.

“McCrory’s blank assertion of innocence – days before his sentencing and without any factual basis – is insufficient and unconvincing,” wrote Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Case.

Wingate will hear the issue Wednesday.

McCrory and Sam Waggoner of Carthage, a prison phone consultant, had been scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday. Waggoner has asked for a delay in his sentencing because he might have to testify against McCrory if McCrory’s case goes to trial.

McCrory pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and faces up to 20 years in prison. He’s also forfeiting $1.7 million in assets. Former Mississippi Corrections Commissioner Christopher Epps, whom McCrory said he bribed, also pleaded guilty in February 2015 along with McCrory. Epps faces up to 23 years in prison and has forfeited $1.7 million in assets.

Prosecutors reject McCrory’s claim that he wasn’t effectively aided by a lawyer. They say McCrory never before asserted innocence and there’s no proof his plea wasn’t voluntarily and knowingly made, noting Wingate held an “exhaustive” plea hearing where McCrory admitted guilt in his own words.

“Did he not transfer $350,000 to pay off Epps’s mortgage or $50,000 to pay for Epps’s beach condominium?” Case writes. “Did he not take $40,000 in cash from Epps and launder that money through one of his companies? Did he not wire $50,000 from one of his business accounts directly to Epps’s investment fund account? And, did he not receive – personally or through his businesses – in excess of $5 million?”

Case also writes that two years is an “extraordinary” delay before a defendant changes his mind, that it would it would hurt the government to try the case so late, and that it would inconvenience Wingate and waste court resources.

McCrory’s current attorney, Carlos Tanner, said McCrory received ineffective representation from his first attorney. Tanner said prosecutors still have not given McCrory all documents needed to prepare his defense.

Epps’ sentencing has been delayed several times, and is set for May 24. He had been free on bond, but Wingate revoked his bond and ordered Epps jailed last month after police in a Jackson suburb charged him with burglary for taking exterior lights and a control box from a house he had forfeited. McCrory remains free on bond.

Four others have been convicted in the case.

Monroe County Sheriff Cecil Cantrell takes a phone call from the mother of an inmate who called to ask about the availability of drug treatment programs. (Mississippi Today)

By R.L. Nave

Mississippi Today

ABERDEEN – As video rolls, deputies arrest an older woman with large eyes and as many streaks of gray hair as of black wearing a peace sign T-shirt.

“I don’t sell no dope,” she says as handcuffs are being slapped on her.

This isn’t an episode of Cops. It’s local TV coverage from Monroe County Sheriff Cecil Cantrell’s most recent drug roundup – held the week before Thanksgiving.

In all, the sting that began Nov. 17 would net almost 60 arrests. The majority of the men and women arrested were charged with one count of sale of a controlled substance and faced a $20,000 bond.

Cantrell ran for sheriff on a promise of cleaning up drugs in the Northeast Mississippi county of 36,989. To show he’s serious, he invites a local TV news crew along on his department’s busts.

Now, Cantrell, a Democrat, has been fighting his drug war since coming into office five years ago. He was a justice court judge for 24 years before he ran for sheriff in 2011 on a promise to tackle what he calls a tremendous drug problem.

Cantrell’s roundups are a staple of TV broadcasts and reports in the Monroe County Journal. His deputies have conducted at least three major roundups along with a number of smaller busts, resulting in dozens of arrests, in 2016 alone.

Opinions differ about whether Monroe County has a worse drug problem than any place else in the state. What is apparent is that Monroe County is a microcosm for the larger war on drugs with political pressure on local officials to keep the streets clear of drugs, thus filling correctional institutions with dealers and users. Meanwhile, lack of funding for drug treatment programs, especially for poor incarcerated people, all but guarantees they end up back in the system eventually.

Cantrell says his anti-drug philosophy is rooted partly in faith and partly in public-safety practicality.

In addition to believing that “the lord Jesus Christ doesn’t want drugs in any county, (so) He’s opening doors for law enforcement,” Cantrell says “100 percent of drug dealers are responsible for 90 percent of stealing” in Monroe County.

A person with a drug addiction, he reasons, might sell $500 of boosted merchandise for $30 worth of drugs. The busts also result in the seizure of automobiles and illegal guns, sometimes worth as much as $20,000, many of which are stored in an evidence room and displayed as if in a trophy case.

Cantrell also acknowledges that many of the people he arrests receive government assistance and sell drugs to make ends meet.

“We’re going to clean up drugs. It takes too many lives,” Cantrell said. “People in this county know what drugs can do to your family. Drugs will take your wife, your husband, your whole family.”

Smokers not sellers

A 56-person drug bust is large by Mississippi standards.

Yet a visit on a clear, cool November afternoon to Commerce Street – Aberdeen’s main drag through downtown – yielded a mix of responses to the question of whether a pervasive drug problem exists.

Several people declined to talk about the drug busts let alone drug dealers. One older woman, who waved at the passengers of just about every car that passed and also didn’t want to give her name or be interviewed for this story, did say that she believes most of the people swept up by the latest sweep were poor drug users and not hardcore dope dealers.

That sentiment was underscored when Mississippi Today contacted more than 20 of the people arrested on Nov. 17. About half the numbers went to the telephones of mothers, sisters, daughters, wives and girlfriends.

One woman said her daughter remained in jail, unable to pay the bond to get out. Another said her mother was no drug dealer and was upset that law enforcement officers took her to jail barefoot.

Only one man returned Mississippi Today’s call. He agreed to talk to a reporter if his name was not published, citing his pending charges and upcoming court appearances.

“They got all the people on drugs. They got the users,” including himself, he said. “Most of the ones I know, won’t sell a lick – they gonna smoke it.”

Disconnected from everything

Mississippi’s drug-court program is designed to help people whose alcoholism or drug addiction may have caused them to commit certain nonviolent crimes, people like those arrested in the sheriff’s roundups.

However, in Monroe County, getting help isn’t easy.

Circuit Court Judge Jim Pounds, who runs adult felony drug court for a seven-county area in northeast Mississippi with 230 participants, says he has the fewest participants from Monroe County. The reasons are mostly economic.

To get into drug court, a defendant must plead guilty and agree to go through a drug treatment program, attend regular Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous meetings, meet regularly with the judge and prosecutors and be available for random drug testing. In Pounds’ court, participants have to be on call seven days a week for drug testing; participants are actually tested two or three times a week.

All of this is paid for by drug-court participants. In northeast Mississippi, this year’s 42 graduates paid a total of $99,317.50 – an average of $2,380 apiece – in fines, court costs, and restitution to the counties where they were sentenced, according to Judge Pounds’s office.

Echoing the judge, Chad Clardy, director of community outreach for LIFECORE Behavioral Health, formerly known as Region 3, in Tupelo, said the population of Monroe County is spread out and “disconnected from everything.” That presents a challenge for many people to get back and forth to treatment. Then, there are the costs, he said.

“Really, you have to have some kind of resources to be in drug court. It’s not something you can go into without resources. You’ve fines to pay off, all kinds of stuff,” Clardy said.

Pounds considers himself lenient. If defendants don’t have the cash to participate in drug court, he gives them two or three weeks to come up with it. Otherwise, he can send them to a state prison that has a long-term alcohol and dependency unit.

“They have two choices – drug court or go to the penitentiary,” Pounds said. “It’s been real successful for those that want it.”

As funding has dried up for some drug-treatment programs for the poor, the state has stepped in to bolster the shortfall. Since the most recent round of legislative budget cuts, the Department of Mental Health has increased funding to the 15 community mental-health centers to help provide services to poor people to get into drug treatment.

Specifically, the agency’s Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services has increased the funding available for indigent beds at community mental health centers by approximately $400,000.

Judge Pounds would like to have funding to start a drug-court program for the citizens of Aberdeen, but that seems unlikely any time soon.

In the meantime, Sheriff Cantrell says he isn’t going to differentiate between big-time narcotics traffickers and small-time drug users who get caught in his dragnets.

In his way of thinking, his job is to lock up anyone associated with the drug trade; it’s up to a judge what happens next.

“If you do drugs in Monroe County, I’m gonna catch you and send you to the penitentiary…We’re not going to let you sell drugs in Monroe County without consequences,” he said.

JOHNSON

Daily Journal

BOONEVILLE – A Booneville woman has been charged with breaking into a Prentiss County home earlier this month.

Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar said someone forced their way into a County Road 1160 home in the Piney Grove area on Dec. 9. Among the items stolen were a firearm.

Sabrina Lee Johnson, 34, of County Road 5051, Booneville, was arrested recently and charged with for burglary-breaking and entering a dwelling house.

Judge Richard Tollison set bond at $1,500.

By Floyd Ingram

Chickasaw Journal

HOUSTON – Authorities are looking for a woman who has not been seen since Dec. 16, and are urging the community to help them find her.

Tammy Townsend, 42, was last seen on Carol Drive in Houston on Friday, and a missing person’s report was filed Sunday.

Townsend is a black female, 5 feet, 6 inches tall.

“She may be in the company of family, we just don’t know at this time,” said Houston Police Chief Billy Voyles. “If anyone sees her or knows her whereabouts we are asking them to call the Houston Police Department or 911 immediately.”

Voyles said Townsend does not appear to have any health issues and is not known to leave like this. He also said foul play is not suspected at this time.

“Her family is very concerned about her,” said Voyles. “We need the community’s help.”

The Houston Police Department can be reached at (662) 456-2554

Daily Journal

TUPELO – A foggy Tuesday morning and sub-freezing temperatures made roads treacherous and kept law enforcement busy.

There is a chance the dense, freezing fog will return this morning, so motorists are advised to use caution, especially on bridges. The morning lows are forecast in the upper 20s, but should be well above freezing by 8:30 a.m.

“Troopers investigated over 25 full investigations and assisted another 20 motorist assist calls, people in the ditch but no damage to their vehicle,” said Mississippi Highway Patrol Master Sgt. Ray Hall. “Most of the incidents occurred between 6:15-7:30 a.m., and all were ice related.”

Hall said only a handful of injuries were reported, none were injury crashes, no life threatening injuries.

Thomas Wells | Buy at photos.djournal.com
Aubrey Jamison, 8, from left, Rayveun Copeland, 10, and Zachari Jamison, 11, get a look at the bicycles that were given away Tuesday at the “Polar Express Fun Fest” held at the Verona Fire Department.

By William Moore

Daily Journal

VERONA – As a young boy, Jermandy Jackson’s grandmother stressed the importance of giving at Christmas.

As a Verona police officer, Jackson gave back Tuesday by hosting a “Polar Express Fun Fest” party for the children of Lee County. While he has only been with the Verona Police Department for about a year and a half, he has already organized three fun days for the city’s children.

“I know some of these children won’t get a lot on Christmas Day,” Jackson said. “This is a chance to give them a hot dog and remind them that the police can be your friend.”

To keep the event out of the weather, Jackson scheduled all of the activities, including an inflatable, inside the Verona Fire Department. After a couple of hours of jumping and enjoying fresh-grilled hot dogs, pop corn and drinks, Santa Claus showed up to give away candy and a half-dozen bicycles. Jackson, another officer and local businesses purchased the bikes.

“I have always wanted a bike like this, a cruiser,” said 12-year-old Taiavodi Jackson. “I even like the colors – teal, orange and beige.”

Jackson plans to spend a lot of seat time on the 7-speed Schwinn riding up and down the road. Jackson’s little sister, Courtnei Boykin, 9, also won a bicycle Tuesday afternoon.

The policeman organized fun days for Verona youth during Spring Break and over the summer and knew it was time for another event.

Giving back

“I had a lot of people ask me ‘What’s next?’ but it really got to me when kids came up and asked ‘Officer Jackson, what are you going to do for Christmas,’” Jackson said.

So instead of buying presents for family and friends, he knew he had to give back.

“My grandmother always taught me to be a chipper giver,” Jackson said. “Everyone is looking to receive, but you’ve got to give first.

“When I was only 7 or 8, we know a lot of folks with wood-burning stoves. She would make me help cut down a tree and chop the wood. Once the wood was seasoned, we would go deliver it right before Christmas.”

Because the event took place on city property, Jackson had to get the permission of the fire chief, as well as the blessing of the mayor and board of aldermen.

william.moore@journalinc.com

By Caleb Bedillion

Daily Journal

TUPELO – A local citizen continues to advocate that a proposed police advisory board he opposes receive more public scrutiny.

Pete Sims, of Belden, appeared before the Tupelo City Council on Tuesday night to repeat a request he’s made before: host a public forum to solicit input on the creation of a police advisory board.

Mayor Jason Shelton told the Daily Journal there are no plans to host such a forum.

Previous statements from administration figures had not been clear as to whether a public forum was being seriously considered.

Shelton has emphasized that he feels there has been adequate opportunity for public input into the deliberative process of instituting a police advisory board.

He also noted that city residents may contact their council representative as well as the mayor’s office to offer comment on any issue.

As well, any resident of the city of Tupelo may address the City Council during its twice-monthly meetings, as Sims did Tuesday.

In addition to Sims, the local Coalition of Concerned Pastors and Leaders and a representative of the Department of Justice have all voiced support for a public forum.

Earlier this year, Sims was appointed to serve on a committee that studied the possibility of whether a citizen review board was needed to provide oversight of the police department.

This came in response to complaints and protests about alleged mistreatment at the hands of Tupelo police. The shooting death of Antwun “Ronnie” Shumpert in June provided a catalyzing event for these protests.

The appointed committee, composed of city officials, elected leaders and local citizens, decided instead to recommend the creation of a police advisory board to act as a liaison between the local community and the Tupelo Police Department.

Sims, however, opposes the creation of either a citizen review board or an advisory board. He believes oversight of the police force rests with the City Council and mayor.

“Farming out such accountability and responsibility to a citizen board adds an unnecessary level of bureaucracy between our elected leaders and the citizens for whom they work,” Sims said.

Sims also warned that morale may be dropping within the city’s police department. He wants the city to conduct an anonymous opinion survey among the department.

“I just want the city to do what they say they want to do,” said Sims to the Daily Journal, citing a professed commitment to transparency on Shelton’s part.

Some details of the proposed police advisory board were presented to the City Council in late October.

However, other details remained unclear. Sims fears that the final version of a police advisory board will be pushed through with limited public input.

caleb.bedillion@journalinc.com

Twitter: @CalebBedillion

McCLINTON

By Emily Wagster Pettus

Associated Press

JACKSON – A Mississippi man with a prior criminal record was arrested Wednesday in the burning of an African-American church that was spray-painted with the words “Vote Trump,” and the church’s bishop said the man is a member of the congregation.

The state fire marshal said investigators do not believe the fire was politically motivated, but there a signs it may have been done to appear that way.

Andrew McClinton, 45, of Leland, Mississippi, is scheduled to make an initial court appearance Thursday in Greenville – the city where Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church was burned and vandalized Nov. 1, a week before the presidential election.

McClinton is charged with first degree arson of a place of worship, said Warren Strain, spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.

Hopewell Bishop Clarence Green said McClinton, who is African-American, is a member of the church. Green said he didn’t know about the arrest until he was called by The Associated Press.

“This is the first I have heard of it,” said Green, who said he was attending to other church duties and didn’t have time for a longer interview.

It was not immediately clear whether McClinton is represented by an attorney.

The investigation is continuing, and officials have not revealed a possible motive.

“We do not believe it was politically motivated. There may have been some efforts to make it appear politically motivated,” Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney, who is also the fire marshal, told AP.

Mississippi Department of Corrections records show McClinton was sentenced in 1991 to three years’ probation for a grand larceny conviction in Washington County, where Greenville is the county seat. His probation was revoked in 1992 for receiving stolen property in Greenville, said Department of Corrections spokeswoman Grace Simmons Fisher.

In 1997, McClinton was sentenced to seven years for attempted robbery in Lee County. And, in 2004, he was convicted of armed robbery in Lee County. He served eight years in prison and was released in January 2012. His time served included days he was jailed before trial.

McClinton’s supervision by the department ended in February, the spokeswoman said.

Greenville is a Mississippi River port city of about 32,100 people, and about 78 percent of its residents are African-American. While it’s not unusual for people of different racial backgrounds to work and eat lunch together, local residents say the congregations at most churches remain clearly identifiable by race.

Greenville Mayor Errick D. Simmons on Wednesday called the church burning “a direct assault on the Hopewell congregation’s right to freely worship.”

“There is no place for this heinous and divisive behavior in our city,” Simmons said. “We will not rest until the culprit is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We take pride in our work to have a unified city and we look forward in continuing that work.”

Hopewell was founded in 1905 in the heart of an African-American neighborhood, and the congregation now has about 200 members. While some walls of the beige brick church survived the fire, the empty windows are boarded up and church leaders have said the structure will likely be razed. Rebuilding could take months.

After the fire, Hopewell congregants began worshipping in a chapel at predominantly white First Baptist Church of Greenville. Bishop Green said last month the generosity of First Baptist demonstrates that “unlimited love” transcends social barriers. James Nichols, senior pastor at First Baptist, said the Hopewell members are welcome to stay as long as they need a home.

Greenville is in Washington County, a traditional Democratic stronghold in a solidly Republican state. In the Nov. 8 presidential election, Republican Donald Trump easily carried Mississippi, but Democrat Hillary Clinton received more than twice the vote of Trump in Washington County – 11,380 for Clinton to 5,244 for Trump.

IVORY

Monroe Journal

AMORY – Charges were filed Wednesday morning against an Amory man in connection to the Sunday armed robbery and kidnapping of two juveniles.

Deionta Ivory, 23, was charged with two counts of armed robbery and two counts of kidnapping, according to Amory Police Chief Ronnie Bowen. Ivory was picked up Tuesday by Amory police and held in jail overnight. He is awaiting his initial bond hearing in Monroe County Justice Court.

Ivory allegedly forced entry into a vehicle at Subway and made two juveniles to drive him to an ATM machine and ultimately the Chevron station on Highway 278. After making the second juvenile enter the store, the suspect fled on foot, launching the search.

According to Bowen, Ivory’s prior offenses with the APD included misdemeanor cases.

Following up on tips and evidence led to Ivory’s arrest.

By Jeff Amy

Associated Press

JACKSON – A federal judge is rejecting an attempt by a former Mississippi lawmaker to withdraw his guilty plea in a prison contracting bribery case.

U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate ruled Wednesday Cecil McCrory’s request to undo his plea didn’t meet the legal standard.

McCrory pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy, in relation to $40,000 he sent to then-Corrections Commissioner Christopher Epps.

Wingate notes that when McCrory pleaded in February 2015, he explained his actions, said he was satisfied with his lawyer and said he was pleading freely.

A new lawyer says McCrory’s first attorney didn’t adequately represent him, and that a prosecutor improperly pressured McCrory.

McCrory faces up to 20 years in prison and is forfeiting $1.7 million in assets.

Epps awaits sentencing, having pleaded guilty to bribery-related charges.

William Moore | Buy at photos.djournal.com
Verona police officer Jermandy Jackson looks over the first 15 of 20 bicycles donated by Tupelo businesses. Jackson plans to give the bikes away Friday to under-privileged children in Verona.

By William Moore

Daily Journal

VERONA – A Verona policeman’s effort to give bikes to less-fortunate children grew Wednesday.

Officer Jermandy Jackson hosted a party Tuesday at the Verona Fire Department for around 30 children and gave away six bicycles.

“The story struck a chord for me,” said Tupelo accountant Scott Fleming, referencing a story in Wednesday’s Daily Journal of the giveaway. “I have always believed police work better when the community trusts them.

“I thought it was great that he was making a difference in some of the children’s lives, but thought how terrible for all the kids who walked away without a bike.”

So Fleming and the other employees at Byrne Zizzi CPA pooled their money and headed to Academy Sports to buy 12 more bikes. Academy gave them a 10 percent discount, allowing them to purchase two more. When the employees at Outback Steak House found out, they donated another five.

“It just made my day when I talked to (Fleming) this morning,” Jackson said. “I hated that some kids were left out of the bike giveaway. These donated bikes will make a difference in these children’s lives. One family has four boys and is going through a hard time. Those kids might not get anything for Christmas, but they will get bikes.”

Jackson said he plans on giving away the bikes Friday afternoon. If anyone else wants to donate, he is sure he can locate a child who needs a new bicycle.

“My grandmother always told me it was better to give than receive and I am trying to show that to these children,” Jackson said. “If God has blessed you, you should give.”

Anyone wanting to make a donation can call the Verona Police Department at 566-2211.

william.moore@journalinc.com