Murder suspects in custody

Two suspects have been arrested in separate murder cases in Marshall County, according to Sheriff Kenny Dickerson.

Agents with the Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force, coordinated by the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested Jesus Najara, a suspect in the 2016 homicide of Tadarious Williams, he said.

Najara, 35, of the Memphis, Tenn., area, has been on the run since an arrest warrant was issued in December 2017, the sheriff said.

The suspect was arrested Monday, April 9, in Rutherford County, Tenn., and awaits extradition back to Marshall County.

Najara is charged with capital murder in the case where Williams’ body was left in a soybean field on South Mullins Road.

A second arrest was made in the 2017 murder of Deandrae Jones, who was shot at Griffin Inc.

Larmont Donzell Burchett, 29, of the 400 block of Early Grove Road, was arrested in Memphis and was extradited back to Marshall County on one count of murder, Sheriff Dickerson said.

Burchett remained in jail with no bond set Tuesday.

Dickerson thanked the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance in this arrest.

Boat thefts

Arrests have been made in the theft of a Bass Tracker in Marshall County and a pontoon boat taken from Pontotoc County, Sheriff Dickerson said.

The bass boat was taken in the 1300 block of Bethlehem Waterford Road on April 2.

It was stolen from the property of Steve Culver, whose house burned in a March 28 fire.

Dickerson said the boat was taken between the hours of 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.

Investigators received video surveillance evidence collected in the parking lot at Spring Hill Baptist Church. The video helped identify the vehicle, which was parked in the lot at the time of the theft.

Investigators received a tip which led to the recovery of the boat on Beaver Dam Road. The motor was later recovered by investigators at a separate location.

Three suspects were arrested and charged with grand larceny.

George Hopkins, 51, of the 900 block of Clear Creek Road, was arrested and charged and later released on $2,500 bond. Jason Hopkins, 23, of the same address, was arrested and charged and freed on $2,500 bond. A third suspect, Eric Hutchens, 27, who reported himself as homeless, was also arrested and charged and released on $2,500 bond.

Dickerson thanked Bro. John Parker for supplying the video that identified the vehicle used in this grand larceny.

A pontoon boat was recovered from the 200 block of Hardin Road in the Laws Hill area. The boat had been stolen in Pontotoc County two to three weeks ago.

A tip led to the arrests and charging of three suspects in the case, the sheriff said.

William Rogers, 32, of the 600 block of Potts Camp Road, was arrested and charged with grand larceny. Rogers is free on $5,000 bond.

A second suspect, Jimmy Hopkins, 43, of the 1000 block of Highway 349 South, was also arrested and charged with grand larceny and remains in jail.

A third suspect, Misty Hopkins, 34, of the 1000 block of Highway 349 South, was also arrested and charged with grand larceny. She remained in jail Tuesday.

Dickerson thanked citizens who provided tips or other evidence that helped identify suspects in these murders and boat thefts.

No tip is too small or insignificant in helping solve criminal cases, Dickerson said. All persons who provide tips that help lead to an arrest and conviction in a case in court may be entitled to a reward, the sheriff said. Callers may remain anonymous and information they provide is kept in strict confidence.

There is a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects who are responsible for four outstanding unsolved murders in the county.