Mississippi
Mississippi city councilman pleads guilty to selling fake CBD products in stores
The future of marijuana legalization
Here’s what you need to know about the future of marijuana legalization in the United States, from its racist beginnings to today.
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
Mississippi
11 indicted in $12.3 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.”
Want more WLBT news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it and include the headline of the story in your email.
Copyright 2026 WLBT. All rights reserved.
Mississippi
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.

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.
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.


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.
Mississippi
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.
“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.
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.”
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.
“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.
-
San Diego, CA4 minutes agoSan Diego Unified leaders propose policy to limit technology in classrooms
-
Milwaukee, WI7 minutes agoRacine’s Greek community reflects on Giannis’ celebration of Greek culture
-
Atlanta, GA12 minutes ago
Report: Atlanta Falcons agree to terms with Kyle Pitts on contract extension
-
Minneapolis, MN19 minutes agoMayor Frey outlines timeline for selecting next Minneapolis police chief
-
Indianapolis, IN22 minutes agoRain & storms will return soon, hot & humid next week
-
Pittsburg, PA27 minutes agoWill Howard, Drew Allar Huge Winners of Steelers QB News
-
Augusta, GA34 minutes agoRichmond County school board member Walter H. Eubanks dies
-
Washington, D.C37 minutes agoFirst Nebraska civics bee champion crowned, will head to Washington, D.C. for national competition

