Bomb threat empties prison

The Marshall County Sheriff's Office assisted the Marshall County Correctional Facility (The Prison) on West Street around 1:30 p.m. March 22, according to sheriff Kenny Dickerson.

“The caller stated they had five minutes to evacuate the prison or a bomb would explode,” the sheriff said.

Dickerson and numerous officers went immediately to the prison and assisted guards and administrative officials empty the 800 plus prisoners from their cells and take them to the outdoor yard area.

DeSoto County Sheriff's Department was asked to come assist with the search for a bomb with their K-9 officer and conduct a thorough search inside the prison and outer buildings, the sheriff said.

The search took two to three hours, and after nothing was found, the prisoners were returned to their cells and holding blocks around 3:30 p.m.

Cyberstalking On March 22, an individual came to the sheriff's office to file an affidavit concerning an alleged cyberstalking incident entered on a Facebook post, according to Dickerson.

“The post was in connection with an alleged violation of Mississippi Code 1972 annotated Section 97-45-15b,” the sheriff said. “The victim alleged in his report and affidavit filed in Marshall County Justice Court that he was a victim of cyberstalking.”

(Cyberstalking is defined as the use of the Internet or other electronic means to stalk or harass an individual, group, or organization. It may include false accusations, defamation, slander and libel and also include monitoring, identity theft, vandalism, solicitation, doxing or blackmail.)

Judge Mae Garrison subsequently approved a warrant for the arrest of Thelbert Lamont Lesure, 53, of the 100 block of West Park Street, Holly Springs, the sheriff said.

Lesure was booked a short time later following the issuance of an arrest warrant and later released on his own recognizance and given a later court date to appear in justice court on the allegations stated in the arrest warrant, Dickerson said.

Cyberstalking is a felony charge, which if convicted, could lead to a sentence of up to two years in prison and/or a penalty of $5,000, the sheriff said.