Alcorn Sheriff's Office takes out meth labs

A four-month investigation into meth production in Alcorn County has led to the arrest of six people on charges of possessing the drug and intending to manufacture it.
Alcorn County Sheriff's Department Narcotics Investigator Reggie Anderson said the department served two search warrants at residences in the southeastern part of the county Wednesday.
Anderson said a lengthy investigation by he and Investigator Darrell Hopkins led them to obtain a search warrant from Justice Court Judge Steve Little for the two residences.
The first search was conducted at the 345 County Road 430 residence occupied by James Darren Huggins, 35, Johnny Allan Huggins, 36, Stephanie Evon Huggins, 36, and Michael Joe Staggs, 34. Evidence at the scene led to the arrest of all four subjects on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
A second warrant was executed at the 12 County Road 437 residence of Richard Paul Michael and Rhonda Jane Smith. Both were arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
Two Chevrolet pickup trucks and four long guns were seized during the searches.
Anderson said the investigation began with tips from the community about possible drug activity. They also received information from a local drug store that some of the subjects involved had been purchasing psuedoephedrine pills, a key component of methamphetamine.
Investigators believe the lab operations at the two residences are related.
Anderson said he greatly appreciates the information from those in the community that helped them begin the investigation. He said all tips received are investigated thoroughly.
"Some tips we receive we can act on and make an arrest that day. We call that 'pure luck,' most cases take a long period of time to get the evidence you need to make a good clean prosecutable case. We encourage all to call that might know where drug activity is being conducted," he said.
Deputies Wooten, Sexton, Davis, Thomas, Martin, Crowe, Rider, Harrison, Smith, Derrick, Brown, Dalton, Holloway, Billingsley, Bullard and Lloyd assisted in the searches, along with Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Agent Ben Caldwell and Alcorn County constables.

Two teens die in crash

The Alcorn County Sheriff's Office is investigating the cause of a mid-day crash that resulted in the death of two Kossuth High School students Wednesday.
According to a report from the Alcorn County Sheriff's Office, deputies went to County Road 617, about one mile west of Highway 2, in the Kossuth area, just before noon Wednesday in response to the report of a single vehicle crash.
The vehicle involved -- a 1993, four-door, Chevy Lumina -- was driven by Justin Armstrong, 18, of Corinth. Armstrong was believed to be killed instantly at the scene, according to Alcorn County Coroner Dan Leeth. There were two other students reportedly in the vehicle with Armstrong -- one was transported via Air Evac to the Regional Medical Center (The Med) in Memphis, Tenn., where he later died of injuries sustained during the collision.
A third student was transported to Magnolia Regional Health Center by Magnolia EMS. Alcorn County Sheriff's Deputy David Derrick released no names regarding the students pending the notification of the families of all parties involved.
Besides the aforementioned emergency officials, also assisting at the scene of the accident were the Corinth Fire Department, Kossuth Fire Department, Biggersville Fire Department, Alcorn County Emergency Services Office, Mississippi Highway Patrol and Alcorn County Constable Post. 2.
It appears the students were on their way to Vo-Tech, but no other details are known as the investigation is still underway. Derrick indicated more information will be released as it becomes available.

New jail contract approved

Alcorn County Supervisors formally approved a new contract for architectural work on the county's new regional jail and justice complex and named a replacement for a member of the county's airport board killed in an October plane crash during their mid-month meeting on Monday.
Board members voted to approve a contract between the county and Michael W. LeBlanc Architects for design and planning services for the justice complex to be constructed on Harper Road between the National Guard Armory and the county's juvenile justice center.
LeBlanc is the brother and business partner of the jail's original architect Pat LeBlanc, who was killed in a plane crash earlier this year. Board Attorney Robert Krohn said the new contract is identical to the one originally signed by the county for work on the project, except that it formally changes the name of the architect of record.
The board, along with law enforcement and other officials who will be using the new facility, are scheduled to receive an update on design work on the justice center from the architects and consultant Irb Benjamin in a meeting on Thursday.
The complex will include space to house state inmates under a contract with the Mississippi Department of Corrections as an MDOC regional jail, along with housing for county and city prisoners and offices for the Alcorn County Sheriff's Department, Corinth Police Department, Corinth Alcorn County E-911 and Alcorn County Emergency Management Agency. It will also include a courtroom and office space for Alcorn County Justice Court and Corinth City Court.
The cost of the jail will be paid through bonds that will be issued and paid off using funds from the MDOC contract for housing state prisoners and a lease agreement between the city and county for use of office space for CPD and city court and housing of city prisoners.
The board also voted unanimously Monday to appoint William A. Bell to the Corinth/Alcorn County Airport Board of Directors. Bell will fill the unexpired term of the late Leroy Hopkins, which runs through April 2009. Hopkins was killed last month in a small plane crash in McNairy County.
In other business, the board approved an application for a $675,000 grant from the Mississippi Development Authority's Developmental Infrastructure Program for Ayrshire Electronics (formerly ACT) for upgrades to the facility. If approved by MDA, the grant would not require any matching funds from the county.

Suspect faces assault, robbery of elderly man

An Alcorn County man previously charged in connection with the assault and robbery of an elderly Rienzi man now faces charges, along with two other individuals, in a second similar case.

Alcorn County Sheriff's Department Investigator Jerry Rogers said William Danny Whitaker, 51, of 211 County Road 520, Timmy Dale Whitaker, 44, of the same address and Sammy Patterson Jr., 59, of 1910 Rosedale St., Corinth, were all arrested Tuesday and charged with burglary and intent to commit larceny.

The three suspects are accused in the August 6, 2008, burglary of a home on County Road 303 in which an elderly resident was robbed of an unknown amount of cash. The victim suffered head trauma in the attack and was taken to The Med in Memphis, Tenn. He has since been released and has recovered.

Rogers noted William Danny Whitaker was also charged in connection with the June assault and robbery of an elderly man in Rienzi and was out on bond in that case when he was arrested in the current one. His bond in the earlier case has been revoked and is currently being held without bond.

Timmy Dale Whitaker was on parole for a previous conviction when he was arrested. Rogers said his parole was revoked and he was transferred to the state penitentiary at Parchman on Wednesday. Patterson has been released after posting a $20,000 bond.

Sheriff's Department investigators have also made arrests in several separate, unrelated drug cases in recent days. The following information was released by Narcotics Investigator Reggie Anderson.

- Officers with the sheriff's department went to a residence at 199 County Road 513 belonging to Joey Arnold, 29, in Biggersville to serve an arrest warrant on Benny Ray Ross, 34, on Oct. 28. While serving the warrant, a meth lab was discovered on the premises. Ross was arrested along with Michael Smith, 38, and Arnold. All were charged with possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. The charge will be enhanced because firearms were found inside the residence. Three long guns were seized from the home.

Ross is being held on a hold order from the Mississippi Department of Corrections. No bond has been set for Smith and Arnold has been released on a $10,000 bond.
Sheriff Charles Rinehart, Anderson, Investigator Darrell Hopkins, Chief Investigator Doug Mullins, Rogers and Deputies Lucas Wooten and Heath Thomas assisted in the case, along with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.

- On Friday, Oct. 31 the sheriff's department received information that methamphetamine was allegedly being manufactured at a residence at 122 County Road 552 in the Hinkle/ High Town area. Authorities conducted a knock and talk visit to the residence which led to a search of the residence and the discovery of numerous precursor chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine. The owner of the residence, Rodney Stokes, 23, and Shannon Voyles, 22, were both arrested and charged with possession of two or more precursors with intent to manufacture and felony child abuse. The Mississippi Department of Human Services and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics were also contacted. Rinehart, Anderson,

Hopkins, Rogers, Wooten, Thomas, Dole Moss, John Derrick, Keith Fields, Daniel Spencer and Mackie Sexton were involved in the case. Anderson and Hopkins are in charge of the investigation.

- On Oct. 26, Deputy and K-9 Officer Scott Brown saw two suspicious vehicles on Highway 2 Northeast. After stopping the vehicles, Brown's drug dog alerted on one of the vehicles, leading to the discovery of approximately four grams of cocaine. Shanna Osborne, 25, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Another male subject was detained and was released the next day without being charged.

Brown was assisted by deputies Terry Rider and Shane Crowe. Anderson and Hopkins are in charge of the investigation.

Two men die in Biggersville shooting

Two are confirmed dead after an incident that involved a double shooting in Biggersville Saturday afternoon.

The investigation is ongoing, according to a report from the Alcorn County Sheriff's Office, for a double shooting that took place on County Road 507 -- at the home of Jackie Johnson, 42, on Saturday afternoon.

A report given by Alcorn County Investigator Doug Mullins, said the ACSO received a call around 3:46 p.m. Saturday with initial information that Johnson had killed his ex-wife and her boyfriend. The caller also stated that Johnson was about to kill himself. At the time of the call, Johnson had left the house in an unknown vehicle and it was believed he was headed for Memphis, Tenn. -- which deputies later learned was incorrect.

Alcorn County Sheriff Deputies arrived on the scene around 3:52 p.m. and reportedly found Johnson's ex-wife, Tammy Johnson, on the carport, having been shot multiple times. Tammy Johnson was alive and responsive enough to give law enforcement a description of the suspect's vehicle -- a white, 2008, Mustang with black stripes along the sides.

Law enforcement also found, James R. Meteer, 44, of Corinth, on the front lawn. Meteer was pronounced dead at the scene by the Alcorn County Coroner -- having been fatally shot, according to the report. Although the case in still under investigation, details reportedly point to the weapon used in the shootings being a nine-millimeter handgun.

Tammy Johnson was transported to Magnolia Regional Health Center via ambulance, but was later moved to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, where she was kept in the Intensive Care Unit, according to the report. As of Monday evening, Mullins said she had survived the shooting, but he had no specific information regarding her condition.

Meteer was a physical therapist assistant at Magnolia Regional Health Center. His funeral service is set for 1 p.m. Wednesday at Magnolia Funeral Home.

The suspect, Jackie Johnson, the Alcorn County Sheriff's Office later learned, fled to Prentiss County. Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar reported that his office received a call from ACSO around 6 p.m. Saturday, asking his office to investigate Little Brown Cemetery on County Road 3301, where Johnson¹s mother is buried.
"They supposedly received information that he [Johnson] had taken an overdose and that he was possibly sitting at the cemetery," said Tolar. "It was right at shift change, so we had both shifts responding to that location. An off-duty Booneville Police Officer that lives in the area, drove by the location, spotted the vehicle, kept it under observation until deputies arrived."

According to Tolar's report, four patrol deputies and an investigator arrived and found the suspect unconscious in the vehicle. A firearm was found in the rear floorboard. Emergency medical personnel attempted to resuscitate Johnson and he was transported to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Tolar noted that it is thought that Johnson may have arrived at the cemetery around 4 p.m.

Johnson was a teacher in Mantachie, and a former teacher and football coach at Alcorn Central and Guntown. His funeral services are set for 2 p.m. today at McPeters Funeral Home.

There were no further details available Monday evening and Investigator Mullins said the case continues to be under investigation.

Traffic stop leads to meth bust

An early morning traffic stop northwest of Kossuth has landed two county residents in jail on methamphetamine related charges.
Alcorn County Sheriff's Deputy Mackie Sexton stopped a 1994 Audi driven by Eric Miles, 31, of County Road 761 early Wednesday morning. Narcotics Investigator Reggie Anderson said Sexton became suspicious and a search of the vehicle revealed several precursor chemicals used in the manufacture of crystal methamphetamine.
Miles and his passenger, Karen Glidewell Overton, 37, of County Road 600, were taken into custody and a subsequent investigation led to the search of Glidewell's residence on CR 600, where officers recovered approximately six grams of crystal methamphetamine. Anderson said the drug has a street value of approximately $600. Miles' vehicle was also seized in the bust. Miles and Glidewell have both been charged with possession of precursors with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine. They remained in custody late Thursday afternoon on cash-only bonds of $20,000 each.
Allen Lyles and Brian Anderson with the Mississippi Highway Patrol and Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics Agent Ben Caldwell also assisted in the investigation.
Anderson said he encourages anyone who may have information on drug activity in the county to contact the sheriff's department at 286-5521. He said tips from the public are an important part of the fight against drugs and they are eager to hear from anyone who may be aware of suspicious activity.
Anderson said it can sometimes take time for investigations to come together, but all tips they receive are thoroughly investigated.

Local charged in 23-year-old case

QUINCY, Ill. -- Records show that a Thomas William Brannon filed taxes, served time in Mississippi, married and fathered children over the last several decades.

The trouble is, he's been dead for more than 20 years.

Illinois authorities say that Wallace Daniel Spence, 52, of Corinth may have been responsible for Brannon's death in the 1980s, then stole his identity.

Spence appeared in an Adams County court Monday on charges of concealing a homicide in connection with the discovery of Brannon's decomposed body in a western Illinois quarry in 1985. He told the judge he wanted to plead guilty "as soon as possible.''

Spence was arrested by the Alcorn County Sheriff's Department in March on charges of burglary and forgery. While in Alcorn County custody he began claiming responsibility for numerous murders, though investigators only connected him to one. Investigator Jerry Rogers interviewed Spence and was able to connect his claims to the case in Quincy. Quincy authorities confirmed Spence's connection and he was extradited to Illinois from Corinth last week.

Spence does not yet face murder charges, Adams County State's Attorney Jon Barnard said, partly because the jurisdiction of the killing is unclear.
"We are certainly looking very hard at whether or not we can charge him with murder somewhere,'' Barnard said.

Although the body was found in Lima, Spence filed a statement saying the death occurred elsewhere. He also indicated he had killed Brannon, Barnard said.

Spence's attorney, public defender Todd Nelson, said he could not comment on the case.

Spence met Brannon when they were both inmates in Florida, Barnard said.

Officials would not specify how Brannon may have died, saying the investigation is ongoing.

Brannon was 25 when he died, and his body remained unidentified until last month -- after Spence came forward with information, Barnard said.

The case was dubbed "Marvin The Mummy'' by the original investigators.

Officials confirmed Brannon's identity using fingerprint records.

"It's a weird story, I'm telling you,'' Barnard said.

Spence was scheduled to appear in court again on Thursday.

Officials get first look at new jail

Local officials got their first chance to review plans for the county's new regional jail and justice center on Tuesday as the process of refining and finalizing the design of the complex got underway.

Irb Benjamin with MCM Jail Development, Management and Consulting, spent much of Tuesday morning going over the design for each segment of the complex with the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors and the heads of each department to be housed there.

The department heads were given the opportunity to help refine the layout and design of their segments of the multi-million dollar complex set to be constructed on Harper Road near the Alcorn County Juvenile Detention Center.

The plans, created by The LeBlanc Group of Lafayette, La, call for a multi-jurisdictional facility that will house state and local inmates in separate areas, along with offices for the Alcorn County Sheriff's Department, Corinth Police Department, Corinth-Alcorn County E-911, Alcorn County Emergency Management, Alcorn County Justice Court, Corinth Municipal Court and others.

The state wing of the complex will serve as a Mississippi Department of Corrections Regional Jail and funds from an agreement between the county and MDOC for the housing of state inmates will be used to finance a large portion of the construction project. Additional funding comes from money received from the sale of a formerly county-owned nursing home and an agreement between the county and the city of Corinth to lease space for use by the police department and housing of city inmates.

A major issue addressed during Tuesday's design review was dealing with the large amount of vehicle traffic and visitors who will be coming to the complex. Because of the large variety of offices housed at the facility it is expected to be an extremely busy location and properly controlling traffic will be vital.

"Dealing with all of the traffic is the big issue," said Benjamin.

Among the ideas being considered are the creation of a separate, direct public entrance for the E-911 office in order to accommodate the large number of people who visit the office each day to make address changes.

There was also discussion of ways to deal with the large number of people paying fines in Justice Court or attending Justice Court sessions. Sheriff Charles Rinehart, who will be responsible for operating the jail, and Corinth Police Chief David Lancaster, also spent an extended amount of time with Benjamin discussing ways to make the most efficient use of the space available for their departments.

Rinehart and Lancaster both asked for a redesign of the county jail space to provide more beds for female prisoners. Lancaster said the female inmate population in the city and county continues to grow, primarily because of drug crimes and property crimes such as passing false checks.

Benjamin said he will take all of the changes discussed Tuesday back to the LeBlanc Group and he expects to be able to present a draft of the plans incorporating these changes in approximately three weeks.

The consultant told supervisors he believes it will take two or three more review sessions before a design can be finalized and they hope to be able to advertise for bids and award a construction contract by mid to late September.

A new Sheriff in Town

On January 2nd 2008 our new Sheriff Charles Rinehart was sworn in.