Mississippi

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

Published

2 years ago

May 3, 2024

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

Lady Vols basketball vs Mississippi State live updates, score, start time, TV channel

Published

10 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Lady Vols basketball vs Mississippi State live updates, score, start time, TV channel

Lady Vols basketball will play a second straight road game with a matchup against Mississippi State.

No. 22 Tennessee (10-3, 2-0 SEC) faces the Bulldogs (14-2, 1-1) at Humphrey Coliseum on Jan. 8 (7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network+) in Starkville, Mississippi.

The Lady Vols started SEC play with wins over Florida and Auburn, and Mississippi State opened conference play with a win over Auburn before falling to Oklahoma on the road.

The matchup is the first of two with the Bulldogs this season with MSU being Tennessee’s lone home and home opponent in SEC play this season.

Both Mississippi State’s losses were on the road, the first at Texas Tech in November before it fell 95-47 to the Sooners on Jan. 4. Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell called the Bulldogs an athletic team and pointed out they ranked in the top 10 nationally in rebounding. MSU averages 45.6 rebounds, which ranks No. 9 in the country.

“We have to go and play in a tough environment with a team that is undefeated at home, plays very well at home,” Caldwell said Jan. 7. “I think that they are a different team at home than they are on the road. So it’s tough to have to go to their place, but it’s tough to go anywhere. And so just got to make sure that we play our game and we box them out and we do what we need to do.”

Lady Vols basketball vs. Mississippi State: Live score updates

When does Lady Vols basketball vs. Mississippi State start?

Date: Thursday, Jan. 8
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, Mississippi

What TV channel is Lady Vols vs. Mississippi State on today?

Lady Vols basketball 2025-26 schedule, TV times

Nov. 4: NC State 80, Tennessee 77
Nov. 7: Tennessee 97, ETSU 47
Nov. 9: Tennessee 72, UT Martin 61
Nov. 13: Tennessee 68, Belmont 58
Nov. 20: Tennessee 85, MTSU 41
Nov. 23: Tennessee 88, Coppin State 35
Nov. 30: UCLA 99, Tennessee 77
Dec. 3: Tennessee 65, Stanford 62
Dec. 14: Tennessee 112, Winthrop 40
Dec. 20: Louisville 89, Tennessee 65
Dec. 22: Tennessee 89, Southern Indiana 44
Jan. 1: Tennessee 76, Florida 65
Jan. 4: Tennessee 73, Auburn 56
Jan. 8: at Mississippi State (7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network+)
Jan. 11: vs. Arkansas (2 p.m. ET, SEC Network+)
Jan. 18: at Alabama (2 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
Jan. 22: vs. Kentucky (6:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network)
Jan. 26: at Ole Miss (7 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
Jan. 29: vs. Mississippi State (6:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network+)
Feb. 1: at UConn (noon ET, FOX)
Feb. 5: at Georgia (6:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network+)
Feb. 8: at South Carolina (3 p.m. ET, ABC)
Feb. 12: vs. Missouri (6:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network+)
Feb. 15: vs. Texas (3 p.m. ET, ABC)
Feb. 19: vs. Texas A&M (6:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network+)
Feb. 22: at Oklahoma (2 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN2)
Feb. 26: at LSU (6 p.m. ET, ESPN)
March 1: vs. Vanderbilt (2 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: cora.hall@knoxnews.com; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks: subscribe.knoxnews.com/offers

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Mississippi

No. 15 Arkansas uses balanced scoring to beat Mississippi 94-87 in SEC matchup

Published

22 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

No. 15 Arkansas uses balanced scoring to beat Mississippi 94-87 in SEC matchup

OXFORD, Miss. — Darius Acuff, Jr. had 26 points and nine assists, and No. 15 Arkansas got double-figure scoring from five players in a 94-87 win over Mississippi on Wednesday night.

Arkansas (12-3, 2-0 SEC) used a decisive 14-6 run midway through the second half to build an insurmountable 76-61 lead. The win snapped a three-game losing streak to Ole Miss (8-7, 0-2).

The Rebels pulled within 91-87 in the final minute, but Acuff converted a short jumper and Trevon Brazile added a free throw to help seal the win. Arkansas finished 22 of 30 (73%) from the free throw line, including 11 of 12 by Acuff.

Brazile scored 18 points, Billy Richmond III and Meleek Thomas added 13 points apiece, and Karter Knox scored 10 in the balanced Arkansas performance.

Ole Miss was led by Ilias Kamardine and Malik Dia with 16 points apiece. AJ Storr scored 12 points, Eduardo Klafke had 11 in the second half and Patton Pinkins added 10.

Arkansas used a 10-2 surge in the final two minutes of the first half for a 42-32 lead at the break. Brazile and Thomas had 10 points apiece in the first half, as the Razorbacks never trailed after the opening five minutes.

The Arkansas win is a sharp contrast to last season when John Calipari’s club started 0-5 in SEC play. The Razorbacks rallied to finish 7-3 with a berth in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.

Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) steps back to take a shot at the basket while guarded by Mississippi guard Travis Perry (11) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Oxford, Miss. Credit: AP/Rogelio V. Solis

Ole Miss, after a Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NCAA Tournament, has struggled to replace four starters and three other significant contributors from last season’s nine-player rotation.

Up next

Arkansas: Completes a two-game trip at Auburn on Saturday.

Ole Miss: Hosts Missouri on Saturday.

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Mississippi

Vote: Who is the Mississippi High School Football Quarterback of the Year?

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Vote: Who is the Mississippi High School Football Quarterback of the Year?

Today, we take a look at some of the best signal callers in the state of Mississippi from the 2025 season.

This season was one to remember in the state of Mississippi, and part of that is due to the terrific play from the quarterback position. Our nominees include a mixture of gunslingers and dual-threat quarterbacks who put on a show every single week, and because of that each nominee is worthy of a vote.

However, we will leave that up to you, the fan, to decide who is the High School on SI Mississippi high school quarterback of the year for 2025.

Voting will close on January 31 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Here are the nominations:

Chancelor comes in as our first nominee as he led the Magnolia State in passing yards this season. He completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,419 yards and 28 touchdowns. Chancelor also added two more scores on the ground.

This season, Mayes completed nearly 67 percent of his passes for 2,934 yards and 40 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. He also showed that he was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the state this season. He rushed for 1,195 yards and 17 touchdowns on 122 carries.

Craft led the Oilers to an appearance to the Class 2A state championship after a terrific season as the signal-caller. He completed nearly 72 percent of his passes for 2,912 yards and 35 touchdowns with eight interceptions. Like Mayes, Craft was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the state this season. He rushed for 1,027 yards and 17 touchdowns on 117 carries.

Stockett completed nearly 66 percent of his passes this season for 2,905 yards and 23 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He also rushed for one touchdown.

Wilcox was another outstanding quarterback from the MAIS this season. He completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,868 yards and 34 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He also rushed for 272 yards and eight touchdowns on 72 carries

Stringer completed just shy of 61 percent of his passes this season for 2,783 yards and 37 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He added 144 yards on the ground with two touchdowns.

As the leader on the offense, and one of the leaders on the entire team, Nettles was outstanding all season long as he helped led the Admirals to the Class 7A state championship. He finished 2025 with a 66 percent completion percentage and 2,750 yards with 23 touchdowns. He added two more scores on the ground.

This season, Shettles completed nearly 62 percent of his passes for 2,730 yards and 28 touchdowns with only one interception. He also rushed for 325 yards and nine touchdowns on 67 carries.

Hall took the momentum he had from his sophomore season and carried it over to this season. He completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,709 yards and 34 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He added 189 more yards on the ground with one touchdown.

Trivillion helped led the Pirates to 11 wins this season which is a school record thanks in part to his play from the quarterback position. He completed nearly 53 percent of his passes for 2,570 yards and 34 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. Trivillion also rushed for 1,120 yards and 15 touchdowns on 105 carries this season.

This season, Ducksworth completed 67 percent of his passes for 2,581 yards with 27 touchdowns to only five interceptions.

Davis was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the state this season. He completed nearly 64 percent of his passes for 2,547 yards with 27 touchdowns and nine interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 650 yards and seven touchdowns on 96 carries.

Edwards showed that he was one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the state this season with a 73 percent completion percentage. On top of completing nearly three-fourths of his passes, he passed for 2,534 yards with 20 touchdowns and just one interceptions. He also added 170 yards on the ground with three touchdowns.

Johnson completed over 50 percent of his passes for 2,510 yards with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 488 yards and eight touchdowns on 104 carries.

Wade is our final quarterback of the year nominee for the 2025 season in the state of Mississippi. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,402 yards and 22 touchdowns with three interceptions. Wade also rushed for 407 yards and 12 touchdowns on 107 carries.

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

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