Jail over capacity

Sheriff Kenny Dickerson said the Marshall County Jail is overloaded this week after the issuing of a number of orders from judges plus warrants by the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC).

With jail capacity at 100 inmates, this week there were 105 people in the facility, he said.

“A lot of that is due to several hundred warrants for arrest issued by circuit court for probation violations and contempt of court orders due to failure to appear or to comply with the terms of court sentences,” Dickerson said.

The overcrowding is due to those taken into custody over the last week or more because they either failed a drug test, failed to appear in court or failed to comply with probation orders issued by MDOC, he said.

A circuit judge has set aside a special day during the last week of September to hear these cases in Marshall County Circuit Court.

Dickerson released the names of several individuals arrested on drug-related charges by his deputies, agents with the Third Judicial Narcotics Task Force or by officers with MDOC.

Tonye Horton, 37, of the Collierville, Tenn. area, charged with possession of a controlled substance (hydrocodone or Loratab) with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia. Horton was released on $1,500 bond and awaits future action in justice and circuit courts. Seized during the arrest of Horton was a 2002 Mercury and about $600 in cash.
Graylon Cox, 48, of the Chulahoma area, picked up on a violation of probation warrant issued by MDOC.
Daniel Rhynes, 26, of Highway 349, Potts Camp, charged with possession of a controlled substance, reckless driving and violation of earned released suspension with MDOC. Rhymes was transported to the custody of MDOC.
Nathan Jones, 29, of Shelby Drive, Holly Springs, charged with possession with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, violation of terms of probation with MDOC, and failure to pay child support warrant from the Department of Human Services. He remained in custody Tuesday.
Donzelle Sharp, 26, of the Byhalia area, charged with possession of a controlled substance (crack cocaine and marijuana). Sharp was released on $2,500 bond.
Tonie Hunter, 61, of Holly Springs, charged with possession of a controlled substance (crack cocaine). Hunter was released on $1,500 bond.
Adam L. Sweatt, 24, of Pinson, Tenn., charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and with possession of paraphernalia. Sweatt was released on $10,000 bond.
Leslie Shields, 42, of 230 Morrow Road, Courtland, Miss., charged with violation of probation. He was released to the custody of MDOC in Panola County.

Dickerson said in the past few years large numbers of people have appeared before circuit court and entered pleas, and agreed to terms of probation or to pay fees or fines.

A recent purging of the records by circuit court showed that numbers of individuals were not abiding by a judge’s orders.

“So the circuit judge issued orders for many to come and appear before a special court and to show cause why they should not be held in jail for failure to appear, to answer the docket call in person or through an attorney, or failure to pay fines,” Dickerson said. “Most often a judge will issue an order for them to be arrested and held for show cause.

“As a result of a combination of all these due processes being served, we are over capacity at jail and I don’t see any relief in sight.”

With the hundreds of these cases on top of an additional 150 or so cases on the September grand jury docket, Dickerson said this has created “a tremendous strain on our manpower and our capacity at the jail.”

He attributes the heavy case load to increased criminal activity associated with illegal drug trafficking and use locally and nationwide saying in some areas overcrowding of jails “is reaching the epidemic stage.”

“Between homeland security problems and trying to curb the drug traffic, we are just about overwhelmed,” Dickerson said.

He expressed appreciation for the hard work of his officers, the Narcotics Task Force, and to the public who provide valuable information crucial to the success of law enforcement.

Dickerson warned that house burglaries and the burglary of four-wheelers and guns usually increase dramatically during hunting season. He urges the public to be aware of any suspicious looking activity in the neighborhood and to report unusual or suspicious activity to law enforcement. Any suspicious activity can be report to 911 dispatch.

Dickerson said deputies will be dispatched as quickly as possible after a call comes in.

Report News: (662) 252-4261 or south@dixie-net.com
Questions, comments, corrections: south@dixie-net.com
©2004, The South Reporter, All Rights Reserved.
No part of this site may be reproduced in any way without permission.
The South Reporter is a member of the Mississippi Press Association.

Web Site managed and maintained by
South Reporter webmasters Linda Jones, Kristian Jones
Web Site Design - The South Reporter


Thursday, September 14, 2006
Community \| Obits \| Editorial & Columnists \| Society \| Sports \| Education \| Classified Ads \| Calendar of Events \| Features \| Newsbriefs \| Legals \| Archives \| Subscriptions \| Photo Gallery