Mississippi

A man escaped Sudan's bloody civil war. His mysterious death in Missisippi has sparked suspicion

Published

2 weeks ago

April 20, 2024

A man escaped Sudan's bloody civil war. His mysterious death in Missisippi has sparked suspicion

JACKSON, Miss. — As a child, Dau Mabil escaped war-torn Sudan and built a new life in Mississippi. This month, fishermen found the body of the 33-year-old Mabil floating in a river, prompting calls for a federal investigation into his disappearance and death.

Mabil, who lived in Jackson with his wife, went missing in broad daylight on March 25 after going for a walk on a trail connecting the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum with other city landmarks. His brother, Bul Mabil, cast doubt on initial autopsy results published Thursday, which a sheriff said did not uncover signs of foul play.

Bul Mabil said he is dissatisfied with the way authorities have handled the case.

“I can’t believe this would happen to someone who came here from a war-torn country,” he said in an interview with The Associated Press. ”I was expecting much better government in this country. But this is the way the United States operates. It is so appalling.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, whose district includes Jackson, sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting a Justice Department investigation. Thompson said civil rights organizations had contacted his office about the case, and his letter described Mabil as an “African male, who is married to Mrs. Karissa Bowley, a white female.”

Family members and concerned citizens spent weeks searching for Dau Mabil, who was captured by a surveillance camera walking near the trail. In an interview, Bul Mabil said he raced to Jackson from his home in Houston on March 26 after hearing of his brother’s death from a family friend. He said he began looking into the case on his own, alongside the Capitol Police, a state law enforcement agency that operates in part of Jackson.

At the same time, Bowley led rallies and information campaigns on behalf of her missing husband, asking for the public’s help to find him. She did not respond to a text or phone call seeking comment.

Fishermen spotted a body on April 13 in the Pearl River in Lawrence County, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) south of Jackson. Days later, officials confirmed the remains were those of Dau Mabil.

Bul Mabil said his brother’s death has been devastating for him and his mother, who still lives in a refugee camp.

The brothers were among the thousands of young refugees brought to the U.S. during their country’s bloody civil war. After they arrived, Julie Hines Mabus, the ex-wife of former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus, started a foundation that helped the children settle in Jackson. She described Dau Mabil as “soft-spoken, a smile on his face, a little twinkle in his eye.”

“To get here was miraculous and then for Bul to get his brother here was even more miraculous,” Hines Mabus told the AP. “It was sort of like a homecoming. And now for Bul to face this with his brother, it’s just heartbreaking.”

Bul Mabil filed emergency legal papers to ensure his brother’s body wouldn’t be released to Bowley and her family until an autopsy was performed by both the state crime lab and an independent medical examiner. On Thursday, Hinds County Chancery Judge Dewayne Thomas granted the request, pausing release of the body and ordering a second autopsy.

In a subsequent court filing, Bowley’s attorney said her client “embraces” the judge’s order for an additional autopsy, with the condition it be conducted only after all law enforcement entities finish investigating.

Bul Mabil cast doubt on a statement from Lawrence County Sheriff Ryan Everett, who first reported the results of the initial autopsy Thursday. Everett said the autopsy did not reveal foul play, but an official determination may be made later, pending further testing.

Bailey Martin, a spokesperson for the state Department of Public Safety, said the state crime lab performed the autopsy. The department expects to receive DNA confirmation next week.

Bul Mabil’s attorneys said they hope an independent autopsy can be done within the next week.

Capitol Police conducted an “insufficient” investigation, Bul Mabil said. One of this attorneys, Carlos Tanner, said his client was “being left in the dark about the suspicious circumstances” about his brother’s disappearance and death.

Vallena Greer, a Jackson woman who took in and raised Dau Mabil, said he thrived in America. He received a school award for his improved English speaking skills and was a talented soccer player.

At the time of his disappearance, Dau Mabil worked as a manager at a Jackson restaurant and planned on returning to school to earn a computer science degree.

“He did well for what America wants immigrants to be,” Bul Mabil said. “We called Mississippi our second home. We didn’t know something like this would happen to one of us.”

___

Michael Goldberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow him at @mikergoldberg.

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Mississippi

Mississippi city councilman pleads guilty to selling fake CBD products in stores

Published

1 hour ago

May 3, 2024

Press Room

Mississippi city councilman pleads guilty to selling fake CBD products in stores

A Mississippi city councilman agreed to forfeit a monster truck and nearly $2 million after a federal investigation revealed he sold illicit drugs advertised as CBD, prosecutors announced Thursday.

Robert Leon Deming, III, who serves on the Biloxi City Council, sold over $2 million in illegal synthetic cannabinoids as vape additives that he labeled as CBD, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said following a yearslong probe by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The DEA received complaints in 2022 that customers became ill after using some of Deming’s products, and his employees discussed in group chats how the additives were too strong and could hurt customers, according to prosecutors.

“A public official’s side job should not be running a business that distributes millions of dollars in illegal controlled substances and endangers the health and safety of its customers,” said U.S. Attorney Todd Gee. “We appreciate the hard work of investigators with the DEA, FDA, and MBN to put a stop to the distribution of these dangerous vape additives.”

Feds launched probe into Deming’s business one year after it opened

According to court documents, Deming founded the Candy Shop LLC in 2019 and opened stores in Mississippi and North Carolina. In 2020, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and DEA launched an investigation into his business and found some of the vape products contained illicit additives.

In May 2022, federal prosecutors said Deming gave someone $2,200 to buy about two pounds of a synthetic cannabinoid product known as 5F-AB-PINACA to use in the shop’s vape additives. Investigators also found that Deming’s gross sales of vape additive products containing illegal drugs totaled over $2 million. He was arrested in September and released days later on bond, according to court records.

Deming pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $1 million penalty. As part of the plea agreement, he agreed to forfeit a yellow monster truck with oversized tires, a lift kit, and nearly $2 million.

“Mr. Deming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in what amounted to a very complicated case hinging upon his knowledge of the existence of synthetic cannabinoids in vape products he sold along with other allegations by the Government,” attorney W. F. Hornsby III told USA TODAY on Thursday. “Mr. Deming’s decision to plead guilty was made after taking into consideration his family, friends, employees, and the totality of the circumstances.”

His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 13.

Synthetic cannabinoids

Synthetic cannabinoids, such as the one Deming was caught using as vape additives, are a class of lab-made drugs that have similar chemicals to the cannabis plant, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The drug can be cheaper to make and is more likely to go undetected in urine drug screenings, the institute said, but it can cause starkly different reactions compared to natural cannabis products.

Some synthetic cannabinoids are classified under the Controlled Substances Act as Schedule I drug, alongside marijuana, heroin, and LSD. The act categorizes drugs based on their potential for abuse, addiction, and medical use.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical extracted from cannabis plants. It can be found in both hemp and marijuana plants — both are technically cannabis but hemp must have less than 0.3% THC present. CBD is non-psychoactive and shouldn’t contain THC, the chemical that produces the “high” feeling in marijuana.

The usual CBD formulation is oil, but it is also sold as an extract, vaporized liquid, and oil-based capsule, according to the Mayo Clinic. Food, drinks, and beauty products are among the many CBD-infused products available online, including lip balms, gummies, and creams.

Side effects of CBD may include dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness, and fatigue, the Mayo Clinic warned. The chemical can also interact with other medications. If you have a heart condition or take blood thinners, some doctors recommend staying away from CBD.

Contributing: Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY

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Mississippi

Gov. Reeves Signs S.B.2448 Into Law: A Continued Commitment to Parole Eligibility Creates A Safer Mississippi – Right On Crime

Published

8 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Press Room

Gov. Reeves Signs S.B.2448 Into Law: A Continued Commitment to Parole Eligibility Creates A Safer Mississippi – Right On Crime

Jackson, MS – Right On Crime commends Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and state legislators for their continued commitment to parole eligibility and public safety as S.B. 2448 was signed into law today. Right On Crime commends the data-driven and thoughtful policies of S.B. 2448. Statement from Mississippi Right On Crime Director Scott Peyton: “Gov. Reeves

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Mississippi

Catch a boatload of fish when this Mississippi state park lake reopens next week

Published

15 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Press Room

Catch a boatload of fish when this Mississippi state park lake reopens next week

‘The bass haven’t seen a spinnerbait or a plastic worm in a while. The bream fishing is about to turn on. The lake has always been known for redear sunfish.’

A popular state park lake is set to open next week and when it does, the fishing experience could be better than ever.

“We closed it last year in 2023,” said Jerry Brown, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks’ Fisheries director. “Parks was already doing some work on the cabins and we took the opportunity to lower the lake at the same time.

“We brought the water level down 8 feet. We closed it to fishing and boating at that time.”

The lake is Bob M. Dearing Natchez State Park Lake located near Natchez. The park is one of several that has seen upgrades recently including renovation of its cabins.

The lake is 230 acres and is where the Mississippi state record largemouth bass weighing 18.15 pounds was caught in 1992.

‘I walked in and said, ‘Wow!”: Take a look at these Mississippi state park makeovers

Upgrades to Bob M. Dearing Natchez State Park Lake

According to Brown, a number of upgrades were performed to make fishing better and more convenient.

Courtesy piers at boat launch removed and replaced
Fishing piers re-decked and railed
Additional courtesy piers built near cabins
Multiple gravels beds constructed to attract bedding bream near fishing piers and accessible banks
Stake beds constructed near banks and fishing piers to attract crappie
Brush piles added to attract crappie, bream and bass

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Will the fish be biting?

The lake is scheduled to open at 6 a.m. on May 6 and while the fish may not jump in the boat, the action should be excellent.

“You’d expect the fishing to be good,” Brown said. “The lake’s been closed for a while.

“The bass haven’t seen a spinnerbait or a plastic worm in a while. The bream fishing is about to turn on. The lake has always been known for redear sunfish. The lake has some good crappie. The fish attractors will be hotspots and concentrate fish.”

How many fish can I keep?

Bass fishermen should be aware there is a slot on largemouth bass. All fish 18-22 inches must be released and only one fish over 22 inches may be kept per angler per day.

Bass: 7 per angler
Catfish: 10 per angler
Crappie: 30 per angler
Bream: 100 per angler

How much does it cost?

Fishing permit: $5 for anglers 16-64, $3 for anglers 65 and older or disabled.
Boat launch: $7 for anglers 16-64, $6 for anglers 65 and older or disabled. This also covers the fishing permit fee for the boat owner. Others in the boat must purchase the appropriate fishing permit.
Anglers 15 years and younger: Free
Note: Anglers must have a valid Mississippi freshwater fishing license unless exempt.