Federal Officials Bust Two Mississippi Sheriffs and 16 Law Enforcement Officers Running Drugs for Mexican Cartels
This is a remarkable story that has not gained significant attention. Late last week FBI Deputy Director Andrew Bailey, the Dept of Justice and various law enforcement agencies announced the indictment of two Mississippi Sheriffs, city police chiefs and more than a dozen police officers who were running drugs and taking bribes from Mexican drug cartels.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Norther District of Mississippi coordinated the indictments [SEE HERE]. U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner of the Northern District of Mississippi; Deputy Director Andrew Bailey of the FBI and Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff of the FBI Jackson Field Office made the announcement and held a press conference.
Apparently, what tipped off the feds was several arrested criminals complaining to state and federal law enforcement that local police were demanding bribes they could not afford. The Mexican drug cartels were paying up to $30,000 to the individual officers, sheriffs and police chiefs’ and the local criminals could not compete with that scale of bribery demand.
MISSISSIPPI – […] “Law enforcement is only effective when the community they protect can trust the law enforcement officers are honestly serving the community’s interests,” said Robert Eikhoff, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Jackson Field Office. “This type of corruption strikes at the heart of the community.”
Nineteen of the 20 people indicted are also charged with violating federal gun laws.
In addition to the two sheriffs, those charged include: Brandon Addison, Javery Howard, Truron Grayson, Sean Williams, Dexture Franklin, Wendell Johnson, Marcus Nolan, Aasahn Roach, Jeremy Sallis, Torio Chaz Wiseman, Pierre Lakes, Derrik Wallace, Marquivious Bankhead, Chaka Gaines, Martavis Moore, Jamario Sanford, Marvin Flowers and Dequarian Smith.
Court records show that the federal defender’s office is representing 16 of the 20 people charged, including the two sheriffs. (more)
[USAO Press Release Here]
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