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20 people, including 14 officers, plead not guilty in Mississippi Delta drug scheme

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20 people, including 14 officers, plead not guilty in Mississippi Delta drug scheme


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  • Twenty people, including 14 current and former law enforcement officers, have pleaded not guilty to charges in a Mississippi drug trafficking scheme.
  • The accused, which include two Mississippi sheriffs, allegedly took bribes to provide armed escort for what they believed were cocaine shipments.
  • The yearslong investigation involved an undercover FBI agent posing as a member of a Mexican drug cartel.

Twenty people, including 14 current and former law enforcement officers, have each entered a plea of not guilty to charges in a drug trafficking scheme spanning across multiple counties in the Mississippi Delta region of Mississippi and Tennessee.

Two Mississippi sheriffs, Washington County Sheriff Milton Gaston and Humphreys County Sheriff Bruce Williams, were among those arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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. All were charged with drug distribution.

Of the 20 individuals charged, 19 are accused of illegally carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

During this yearslong investigation, officers allegedly took bribes to allow or facilitate the transport of drugs. Some bribes were as large as $20,000 and $37,000. Federal authorities announced the indictments last week.

According to indictments, law enforcement officers provided armed escort services on multiple occasions to an FBI agent posing as a member of a Mexican drug cartel.

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The indictments allege the officers understood they were helping to transport 25 kilograms (55 pounds) of cocaine through Mississippi Delta counties along U.S. Highway 61 and into Memphis. Some of the officers also provided escort services to protect the transportation of drug proceeds, according to the indictments.

Federal officials said the investigation began when people who had been arrested complained about having to pay bribes to various individuals.

“It’s just a monumental betrayal of public trust,” U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner said at an Oct. 30 news conference.

Charges against two people — Amber Holmes and Tyquana Rucker — who were initially named in the indictments, were dropped/dismissed.

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According to court records, all of those accused have waived their appearance for an arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to all counts against them. Below is a list of those arrested and the number of counts each face as well as their employment locations at the time of the alleged crimes:

One lengthy indictment shows:

  1. Brandon Addison — employed first with Hollandale Police Dept. and later with Humphreys Co. Sheriff’s Office, faces 10 counts
  2. Javery Howard — employed first with Metcalf Police Dept. and later with Hollandale Police Dept., faces 12 counts
  3. Milton Gaston — employed as Washington County Sheriff, faces 3 counts
  4. Truron Grayson — employed with Humphreys Co. Sheriff’s Office, faces 8 counts
  5. Bruce Williams — employed as the Humphreys County Sheriff, faces 3 counts
  6. Sean Williams — employed with Yazoo City Police Dept., faces 8 counts
  7. Dexture Franklin — employed with Washington Co. Sheriff’s Office, faces 8 counts
  8. Wendell Johnson — employed with Bolivar Co. Sheriff’s Office, faces 6 counts
  9. Marcus Nolan — faces 4 counts
  10. Aasahn Roach — faces 4 counts
  11. Jeremy Sallis — faces 4 counts
  12. Torio Chaz Wiseman — faces 4 counts
  13. Pierre Lakes — faces 2 counts
  14. Derrik Wallace — faces 2 counts

Another indictment shows:

  1. Jamario Sanford — employed with Greenwood Police Dept., faces 3 counts
  2. Marvin Flowers — employed with the Sunflower Co. Sherriff’s Office, faces 3 counts

A scheduling order filed in court records state trials for both Sanford and Flowers are set for 10:30 a.m. Dec. 15, 2025, in Greenville before District Judge Debra M. Brown.

A motion to continue the trial for Sanford was filed, but no order had been filed by a judge at the time of this publication.

Other indictments, filed separately from each other, show:

  1. Martavis Moore — employed with Greenville Police Dept., faces two counts
    • Moore faces two counts in connection with protecting the transport of illegal narcotics through Greenville. In exchange, he allegedly received $5,000 in bribe money.
    • A scheduling order filed in court records state trial for Moore is set for 10:30 a.m. Dec. 15, 2025, in Greenville before District Judge Debra M. Brown.
  2. Marquavious Bankhead — employed with Mississippi Highway Patrol, faces one count
    • Bankhead allegedly was hired by a former State Trooper, to ensure “the road was clear of MHP Interdiction Units” and others as cartel members were traveling through Greenwood and surrounding areas. He received a $5,000 bribe for his efforts.
    • A scheduling order filed in court records state trial for Moore is set for 9:40 a.m. Dec. 15, 2025, in Oxford before Senior Judge Michael P. Mills.
  3. Chaka Gaines — employed with Greenville Police Dept., faces two counts
    • Gaines allegedly received $5,000 to protect FBI agents posing as cartel members when they passed through Greenville.
    • A scheduling order filed in court records state trial for Gaines is set for 9:40 a.m. Dec. 15, 2025, in Oxford before Senior Judge Michael P. Mills.
  4. Dequarian Smith — employed with Humphreys Co. Sheriff’s Office and the Isola Police Dept., faces one count
    • Smith allegedly received a $500 to protect drug runners in LeFlore, Sunflower and Washington counties.
    • A scheduling order filed in court records state trial for Smith is set for 10:30 a.m. Dec. 22, 2025, in Greenville before District Judge Debra M. Brown.

Pam Dankins is the breaking news reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Have a tip? Email her at pdankins@gannett.com.



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11 indicted in $12.3 million Mississippi Medicaid fraud scheme, AG says

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11 indicted in .3 million Mississippi Medicaid fraud scheme, AG says


JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Eleven people have been indicted in connection with an alleged Medicaid fraud scheme involving more than $12.3 million.

This according to Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, who said the indictments involve allegations of fraudulent billing, wire fraud, and/or false documentation seeking to defraud the government.

All 11 charged include:

  • Isluv Robertson, 36, of Jackson
  • Shawncee Vassar-Cunningham, 51, of Olive Branch
  • Katricia Smith, 47, of Olive Branch
  • Sheila Boney Collins, 53, of Hollandale
  • Ahyana Nicole Crosby, 34, of Laurel
  • Angela Nannette Crosby, 51, of Laurel
  • Yolanda Evette Blackman, 54, of Hattiesburg
  • Linda Jenkins, 46, of Hermanville
  • Deja Almore, 30, of Yazoo City
  • Curtis Moore, 51, of Gulfport
  • Taylor Christian Rushing, 34, of Gautier

Officials said the defendants are accused of participating in health care fraud schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in intended loss.

“These indictments are just the latest efforts we are taking to fight waste, fraud, and corruption,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “I am proud to partner with President Trump to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure that money meant to help those in need is not stolen from safety net programs. I will remain laser-focused on rooting out fraud, recovering money wrongfully stolen from hard-working taxpayers, and holding fraudsters accountable.”

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Copyright 2026 WLBT. All rights reserved.



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Governor: At least 47 homes, 50 roads damaged by Mississippi storms, flooding – SuperTalk Mississippi

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Governor: At least 47 homes, 50 roads damaged by Mississippi storms, flooding – SuperTalk Mississippi


Gov. Tate Reeves has released updated damage assessments following the severe weather and flooding that inundated parts of southern Mississippi last week.

According to Reeves, assessments through the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency are ongoing, and disaster aid is still being distributed through a mix of federal, state, and local agencies, along with nonprofits. But numbers as of Monday morning showed dozens of homes and businesses damaged and even more public roads affected.

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Among the counties with significant impacts are Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Jackson, Pearl River, Perry and Stone. Across those counties and others, at least 47 homes were affected, seven of which were completely destroyed. Nine businesses sustained damaged, six of which are considered major. One farm sustained major damage.

A Harrison County roadway is flooded by the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur on Friday, June 19, 2026. (Photo by Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via SuperTalk Mississippi News)

50 public roadways were affected, including four that are considered major and four that were completely destroyed. Two bridges sustained major damage, while two public buildings sustained minor damage.

Reeves said two rivers are in the moderate flood stage – Leaf River near McClain and the Pascagoula River at Graham Ferry.

15 other waterways are in the minor flood stage: Big Black River near Bentonia, Biloxi River near Lyman, Chickasawhay River at Enterprise, Chickasawhay River at Leakesville, East Hobolochitto Creek near Caesar, Pascagoula River at Merrill, Pearl River at Jackson, Pearl River near Pearl River, Pearl River near Philadelphia, Pearl River at Rockport, Strong River at D’Lo, Tallahala Creek at Laurel, Tuscolameta Creek at Laurel, West Hobolochitto Creek near McNeill, and Wolf River around Gulfport.

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A sinkhole caused by flooding from the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur is seen in Covington County on Friday, June 19, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Covington County Emergency Management Agency)

Damage reports could have worsened on Monday with additional rounds of severe weather in some parts of the state. The worst of the storms and floods came with the remnants of what was Tropical Storm Arthur late last week and into the weekend.



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Family of 1-year-old killed by police at a Walmart in Mississippi wants video released

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Family of 1-year-old killed by police at a Walmart in Mississippi wants video released


(AP) – A Mississippi family whose 1-year-old child was killed when police fired into a moving vehicle said Monday they want authorities to release video showing whether officers were in danger of being struck when one of them opened fire.

The shooting has sparked outrage in the small city of Senatobia, where some say it’s the latest in a series of troubling encounters between police and Black residents.

Kohen Wiley was riding with his mother and another woman in a Walmart parking lot on June 14 when police responded to a shoplifting call. The family says they were driving away, while the officers say the car was heading toward them.

This undated photo provided by Veronica Roberson in June 2026 shows her grandson, Kohen Wiley, of Senatobia, Miss.(Veronica Roberson | Veronica Roberson via AP)

“I watched my baby take his first breath, and I watched my baby take his last breath,” Vellesiya Wiley said at a news conference Monday.

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The other woman in the car, whose name has not been released, suffered “critical injuries,” according to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which is handling the inquiry.

Standing alongside Kohen’s parents and grandparents at a local church, civil rights attorney Ben Crump told reporters Monday that the best way to determine whether the officers were at risk is to publicly release any body camera, dash camera or Walmart security camera video.

“If that is the truth, then show us that,” Crump said. “The longer you delay releasing the video, the more distrustful we become.”

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation declined to comment on what videos investigators have or whether they would be released, agency spokesperson Bailey Martin said Monday.

“This case has been made a top priority,” Martin said in an emailed statement, “and we currently have multiple agents working tirelessly to ensure every aspect of the investigation is thoroughly examined.”

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The agency says the officers weren’t hurt. Senatobia Police Chief Harold Vanderford did not return a phone message seeking comment Monday.

State investigators gave an initial account of the shooting last week, saying that when Senatobia police arrived at the Walmart, they found two women and a child getting into a car and driving away.

“Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver drove in the direction of the officers, almost striking one. An officer then discharged their weapon and the vehicle fled the scene,” the agency statement said.

Kohen’s mother has said the shoplifting call was over a box of diapers that her friend was carrying — and that she believes her friend had paid for the diapers. State investigators declined to comment on those details.

Crump questioned why police didn’t let the car go and take down the license plate number.

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“They were called over a box of diapers and a family now has to bury their baby,” Crump said Monday. “You cannot put those two things next to each other and call it reasonable policing.”

Crump also said an independent autopsy would be performed.

While there’s no question the child was shot by police, he said, details about the angles at which any bullets struck the child could yield clues as to whether the officer fired from in front of the car or off to the side — and therefore whether that officer was in any danger.

Policing expert Ian Adams, who teaches criminal justice at the University of South Carolina, told The Associated Press last week that police should know that “shooting into a moving vehicle is a very bad idea and one to be avoided at almost all costs,” noting the danger to passengers and other bystanders.

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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