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.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
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.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
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.
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.
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