On Dec. 20th North Mississippi Community College Part Time Law Enforcement Officers Training Academy held it's Graduation ceremony. The Prentiss County Sheriff's Officer graduated three employees. Left to Right Rusty Burroughs, Justin Underwood, Elizabeth Lindsay and Sheriff Randy Tolar. I am very proud of their accomplishments. All three were recognized for their excellence of performance during the training. Rusty Burrough (Dispatcher) received the Highest Academic Award, Elizabeth Lindsay (Dispatcher) received the Driving Award for the Best Score and Justin Underwood (Corrections Officer) was recognized for receiving the third highest score in both Firearms Training and Physical Fitness Training. Now that these Officers have graduated they can serve in a sworn capacity that hopefully will relieve some of the full time sworn officers tasks such as transports and court duties.

Sheriff Tolar

On Weds night 11/25/2009 Prentiss County Deputies arrested Jackie Eaton after checking out suspicious activity at a vacant house on HWY 4 East. Eaton was found to be in possession of several dosage units of dilaudid. He was charged with Possession of Controlled Substance and his bond was set at $10,000. He was released Friday on Bond.

On Nov.16th 2009 Prentiss County Deputies went to arrest two individuals on recent indictments handed down by a Prentiss County Grand Jury. During the arrests at the suspects home on CR 7301 Deputies discovered that one on the individuals, Jason Hargett was in possession of methamphetamine in his pocket. The Deputies notified our Narcotics Officer who in turn obtained a search warrant for the residence. After the search was conducted, both individuals faced additional charges besides the indictments. The pair, Mother and Son, Cathy Shadburn age 49 of 756 CR 7301 was charged with Possession of Precursors and Jason L Hargett age 27 of 756 CR 7301 was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with the intent to sell or transfer and Possession of Precursors. Both individuals are being held without bond. The reason being is that both were already out on bonds for felony charges. This was a great job on everybody's part and good luck as far as the timing of the arrests.

On 11/18/2009 Prentiss County Authorities executed a Search Warrant on CR 1123 Booneville and arrested Jackie Arnold age 51 of 1 CR 1123 Booneville and Josh David Wilemon 18 of the same address. Arnold was charged with Manufacturing Marijuana and Possession of Precursors and Wilemon was Charged with Manufacturing Methamphetamine and Possession of Precursors. Both were released on $50,000 Bonds. Booneville Police Narcotics and North Ms Narcotics assisted in the case.

A Prentiss County Grand Jury recently indicted nine individuals on various charges relating to a Chop Shop Investigation that was initiated earlier this year. The investigation revealed several incidents of insurance fraud, in which the vehicle owners were allegedly a part of a scheme or plan to report their respective vehicles stolen and then collect the insurance. At least one whole vehicle was recovered and a multitude of auto parts were recovered that was related to the alleged insurance frauds Several other vehicles were recovered that those involved allegedly had attempted to disguise the true identity. A Chop Shop is a place that stolen vehicles or reported stolen vehicles are dismantled, parts sold or the operators attempt to disguise the vehicles identity by switching Vehicle Identification Numbers or mutilate those identifiers to prevent identification. Two separate searches were conducted at 49 CR 7149 Booneville.The following individuals were arrested as of 11/17/2009

Henry Lawson age 68 of 49 CR 7149 Booneville was charged with (CT 1 Operating a Chop Shop,) (CT 2 Possession of a vehicle with altered VIN 2cts),(CT 3 Receiving or Possessing Stolen Property,) (Conspiracy to commit Insurance Fraud, and Insurance Fraud, three CTS each) Lawson is free on a $50,000 Bond

Linda Lawson age 53 of 49 CR 7149 Booneville was charged with Possession of a Vehicle with a Mutilated VIN. She is free on a $5,000 Bond

Robert (Bobby) Anthony Lawson age 36 of 49 CR 7149 was charged with (CT 1 Operating a Chop Shop CT 2 Possession of Vehicle with Altered VIN two cts) and Receiving or Possessing Stolen Property and Attempting to disguise the true identity of a stolen motor vehicle part. He is free of $30,000 Bond.

Benny Burcham age 61 of 35 CR 7149 was charged with Two Counts of Possession of a Vehicle with a Switched VIN and Possession of a firearm by a Convicted Felon. He is Free on a $10,000 Bond

Ronald Dunn age 38 of 112 CR 753 Corinth was charged with Receiving Stolen Property and Perjury. He is free on a $10,000 bond.

Brandon Lewellen age 24 of 764 HWY 4 West Booneville was charged with Conspiracy to commit Insurance Fraud and Insurance Fraud. He is free on $10,000 Bond

Patrick Dukes age 27 of 66 CR 257 Glen was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Insurance Fraud and Insurance Fraud. He is free on a $10,000 bond.

Jeff Sanders age 46 of 4506 Meadow Ridge Tupelo was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Insurance Fraud and Insurance Fraud. He is free on a $10,000 bond.

Brian Scott Leslie age 51 of 385 Morgan Wood Road Tupelo was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Insurance Fraud and Insurance Fraud. he is free on a $10,000 bond.

Numerous Agencies have assisted Prentiss County Authorities during the course of the Investigation including Booneville Police Narcotics Officer, New Albany Police Department, Alcorn County Sheriff's Office and the Tupelo Police Department, Tippah County Sheriff's Office and the National Crime Insurance Bureau, and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On 11/04/2009 Brandon Scott Jones age 25 of 1907 South Lake St was arrested and charged with Felony Malicious Mischief concerning property damage more that exceeded more than $500. The victim filed the complaint and charges in this matter. Jones is free on a $10,000 bond, he was released later the same day.

On 10/18/2009 Timothy Lee McCarley 46 of Lot 6 CR 6081 was arrested by Prentiss County Deputies and charged with Third Offense DUI and various other misdemeanor charges. The Mississippi Department of Corrections has a hold on him. His bond was set at $3,100 on all the charges but he remains in custody.

On 11/12/2009 Bruce Richard Pepper was arrested and charged with felony Malicious Mischief concerning the alleged damage to a rental property that involved more than $500 damages. The property owner filed the charges after having discovered the damage. He is free on a $5,000 Bond. Investigator Roy Ragin is handling the case.

On Nov. 10th 2009 two individuals were arrested for their involvement in the theft of a ATV from Northeast Mississippi Community College Campus at a residence that was reported 09/22/2009. The ATV was recovered the same day shortly after the theft was reported. Investigator Roy Ragin is investigating the case and recovered the ATV in the area of the Baldwyn- Booneville Airport. The suspects are Roy Williams 47 of 213 Cedar St Booneville and Cornelious Young age 33 of 918 N Lake St. Booneville. Both were charged with Grand Larceny in this matter Their bonds were set at $5,000 each on the County Charges. The pair are also being investigated by the Booneville Police Department concerning thefts of lawnmowers during the same time frame. Another suspect has not been arrested at this point and the case on him will be presented straight to the next Grand Jury. Investigator Ragin has done an outstanding on this case and this case is a great example of cooperation between agencies

Unrelated, we have recently had a rash of ATV, Trailer and Lawnmower Thefts from the Wheeler/Hopewell area. The thefts occurred over a two day period, week before last. We believe the thefts occurred during the daytime and ask if anyone saw any suspicious vehicles or people in the area please call the Prentiss County Sheriff's Office. We would also ask that the public heighten their awareness in their respective communities during the upcoming holiday season. Crime seems to also escalate during this time every year.

Sheriff Randy M. Tolar

On Oct. 7th 2009 Prentiss County Narcotics Officer along with Booneville Narcotics and north Mississippi Narcotics Unit executed a search Warrant at 64 CR 3490 and arrested Barry Dean Harris age 35. Harris was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of precursors all enhanced while in possession of a firearm. He was released the following day on a $10,000 bond.

On Oct 14th 2009 Prentiss County Deputies and Narcotics Officers executed a search warrant at 85 CR 5051 Booneville and arrested James H 'Jimmy' Pippin age 53. Pippin was charged with possession of methamphetamine. He was released the following day on a $5,000 bond. Booneville Narcotics Officer assisted in the case.

On 09/22/2009, Prentiss County Deputies arrested three individuals that had just burglarized a residence on CR 6100 west of Baldwyn. We received the report from a concerned citizen and Officers responded immediately. One of Baldwyn's Police Department Officers spotted the vehicle and made the traffic stop. Investigators and Deputies arrested the trio, Derrick Barnett 45, Charvze Dearmon 21, and Channing A Price 24 all of Baldwyn and charged them with Burglary of a dwelling and Grand Larceny. Their bonds were set at $10,000 each. Barnett remains in custody with a hold for Mississippi Department of Corrections and the other two are free on bond. All the items stolen were recovered still in the suspects vehicle. This was a good example of the public getting involved and Law Enforcement agencies working together.

On Tuesday, 09/08/2009 Prentiss County Sheriff Randy Tolar and Narcotics Investigator Joey Clark arrested Jimmy Green Tucker age 32 of 37 CR 2291 Booneville. Tucker was stopped on Hwy 364 near Cairo while riding on the Hwy on an ATV. Officers discovered a 1/4 to 1/2 lb of marijuana and a handgun in Tucker's possession. Tucker later led Officers to several additional Marijuana plants that he had allegedly been growing. His bond was set at $25,000

On 09/13/2009, Prentiss Deputy Keith Lovell and Investigator Sammy Henderson responded to the report of a burglary on HWY 4 East in the New Site Area, in which a security lock box was taken. Shortly thereafter, authorities arrested Jonathan C Hutchens, age 26 of 1091 HWY 4 East New Site and charged him with burglary and larceny of a dwelling. His bond was set a $15,000 and he remains in custody. Some of the property that was taken was recovered along with the security lock box.

Phillip Todd Micheal

On Friday 9/11/2009, Prentiss County Authorities executed a search warrant at 476 CR 7461 in the Blackland Community and arrested Phillip Todd Micheal age 37, of 476 CR 7461 Booneville. He was charged with Possession of Precursors (Chemicals used to make Methamphetamine) Officers discovered the makings of a meth lab at Micheal's residence. His bond was set at $5,000. Booneville Narcotics Investigator Josh Davis and Criminal Investigator Bryon Parker assisted in the case.

On 9/1/2009, Prentiss County and Booneville Narcotics Officers and authorities arrested Megan Henley 19, of 600 West College St Apt 23, Booneville and James "Bubba" Garner 27 of the same address. Both were charged with Possession of controlled substance (Meth), Manufacturing a controlled substance (Meth) and Child abuse. Henley was freed on a $20,000 bond, Garner's Bond was set at $20,000. Investigators were running surveillance on the pair's apt. when Garner fled from the Officers in an automobile ultimately wrecking the car during the pursuit on Ninth Street in the sharp curve near Carolina Methodist Church. He was only slightly injured but refused medical attention. Henley was arrested at the same time by City Narcotics Investigators at the Apt. This is an investigation that has been going on for sometime and everything just fell into place. The Officers did an outstanding job utilizing information gathered from the public,other sources that helped make the case, but finally the Investigators own diligence. Prentiss County Sheriff's Office, Booneville Police Department and North MS Narcotics all cooperated in the case.

Sheriff Randy M. Tolar

On 8/31/2009, Prentiss County Narcotics Investigators arrested Donnie G Cunningham age 58, of 319 CR 3321 Booneville, and charged him with Manufacturing Marijuana after the Officers discovered several Marijuana plants growing on Cunningham's premises. He was released on a $20,000 bond.

Sheriff Randy M. Tolar

On 08/25/2009, Investigators arrested Mitchell Wayne Huddleston 31, of 286 CR 5091 Booneville, and charged him with Manufacturing a controlled substance (Marijuana) and Possession of Stolen Property. The latter charge stems from the theft of several items stolen from the Prentiss County Sheriff's Office Mobile Command trailer that was parked on Corp of Engineers Property at Bay Springs. The trailer was found burned on the morning of July 12th. The items recovered from Huddleston included a generator, a lighting system and a power cord. The fire was investigated and determined to be arson. Huddleston is not charged with the fire, but investigators are continuing the investigation and soliciting any information that might help solve the crime. Crimestoppers of North Mississippi is offering up to a $1,000 reward and The State's Fire Marshals Office is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the Arson. Huddleston was released on a$10,000 bond.

Sheriff Tolar

On 08/26/2009, Prentiss County Deputies Arrested David M Carnell 27, of 85 CR 5061, he is charged with Attempt to Manufacture a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine). No bond has been set, due to the fact that he was out under bonds on two previous felony charges. He was initially being held for an investigation that involved the burglary of the maintenance building at Northeast Mississippi Community College 08/26/2009, that was foiled after a worker arrived early for work and surprised the suspect who fled the scene. This case is still under investigation and charges will likely be forthcoming. Investigators Sammy Henderson and Narcotics Investigator Joey Clark are handling the case.

Sheriff Randy M. Tolar

On 08/26/2009, Prentiss County Deputies arrested Marion "Marty" Arthur Davis 54, of 5 CR 1130 Booneville, on the charges of Grand Larceny that stemmed from the theft of a Tractor and Disk that was stolen from a CR 1371 residence while the victims were out of town back on 09/30/2007. "We had been attempting to locate Davis for some time now. The other suspect was arrested shortly after the incident and indicted. He is presently in custody in Savannah Tennessee on multiple felony charges." The tractor and disk was recovered. This was a lengthy and time consuming investigation that covered three counties and was aided by tips from confidential sources that were critical to solving the case.

Sheriff Randy M. Tolar

On Thursday August 13th, Tippah County Authorities arrested Anthony George Nugent 34, of 2450 HWY 368 Blue Mountain, the arrest was based on a warrant that was issued for the charge of Accessory After the Fact of Burglary of an Automobile, involving the theft of a Dell Laptop Computer back in July. Prentiss County Investigators had been working on the case and following up on leads that ultimately led them to Nugent who wound up in possession of the computer. His bond was set at $2,000 and he is free on bond. The computer was recovered. Another arrest was made concerning the same computer. Tasha Rochelle Traylor 38, of 230 North 3rd Street Saltillo was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property also on Aug 13th, her bond was set at $2,500 and she is free on bond. The individual who was responsible for the actually Automobile Burglaries remains in custody. There were three automobiles burglarized on Cr 1371 back in July and it has been determined that he was responsible for the three burglaries. The cases will be presented to the next Grand Jury in Oct. This was a very in depth case that took a lot of leg work and the use of technology that we have used before. I am very pleased with the Investigators handling of this case and for everyone's assistance in this matter.

Sheriff Randy M. Tolar

On Aug. 18th, Wed evening, Ana Lisa Davis 32, of 34 CR 8361 was arrested at a Cr 8050 Booneville residence. She was arrested after Prentiss County Sheriff's Narcotics Officer Joey Clark along with Booneville City Narcotics Officer Josh Davis discovered a meth lab in the automobile she was occupying. Another individual fled into the woods and is still being sought. She is charged with Manufacturing a Controlled Substance and bond has not been set at this time. Numerous other officers and agencies assisted the Sheriff's Department in the case and subsequent search including Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics K9 Officer David Austin and the Booneville Police Department.

Sheriff Randy M Tolar

On Sat. Aug. 2nd, the Prentiss County Sheriff's Office received several calls concerning a drunk driver in the Jumpertown area. Deputy Torie Jumper responded to the calls and located the suspect driver identified by Jumper as Robby Eaton age 44, of 221 CR 8401 Rienzi. When located Deputy Jumper attempted to stop Eaton on CR 8401. He failed to yield to her attempts to stop him and eventually turned on to HWY 4 west and struck an automobile at the intersection and continued to refused to stop. Eaton struck two more automobiles on HWY 4 before exiting Prentiss County into Tippah County. Tippah County authorities were notified of the pursuit along with the Highway Patrol. A Tippah County Deputy set up spike strips on HWY 4 but the suspect turned onto a County Road before making it that far. He eventually was pursued onto HWY 2. The Officers called off the pursuit when it appeared to be too dangerous to continue because of Eaton's erratic driving and the bad road conditions (Raining). Eaton was arrested Monday Night at his residence by Prentiss County Deputies and an Agent with the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Eaton was on Probation with the DOC and a warrant had been issued for a probation violation. Eaton was charged with Felony Fleeing and numerous other charges including leaving the scene of an accident x 3. Bond was set on the misdemeanor charges but he remains in custody on the revocation. The Officer did an outstanding job and used good judgement in deciding to discontinue the pursuit considering she knew who the driver was.

Sheriff Tolar

The Prentiss County Sheriff's Department Narcotics Investigator recently presented four separate cases involving nine individuals on charges of Conspiring to Manufacture Methamphetamine. These investigations spanned over a two month period of time and involved many of the suspects for their role in the conspiracy for purchasing or obtaining the base ingredients required to manufacture Meth. The Prentiss County Narcotics Investigator along with Booneville Police Narcotics Investigator and North Mississippi Narcotics worked many man hours following these cases through to the suspects arrests after the cases were presented the the last Prentiss County Grand Jury. These men have done an outstanding job and we hope that these indictment send a clear message to those involved in the manufacturing of this terrible drug, regardless of how minor their roles are, that the likelihood of getting caught making meth in Prentiss County has been elevated to a higher level. The following suspects were indicted for Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine; Jeffery Lee Bridges 35 of Booneville, Bond $5,000,Monica Lynn White 25 Baldwyn Bond $5,000, David Samuel Floyd 22 Baldwyn Bond $10,000, Nicole Marie Greenhill 27 Baldwyn Bond $5,000, Sara Elizabeth Storey 18 Booneville Bond $5,000, Cayce Brent Johnson 22 Booneville Bond $5,000, Jared Steven Price 22 Booneville Bond $5,000, Bradley Keith Trantham 22 Corinth Bond $5,000,and James Michael Harper 20 Mooreville $5,000. Harper was also indicted on Burglary and Larceny stemming from a incident in the Marietta area. All the suspect are free on bond except Harper who remains in custody.

Sheriff Randy M. Tolar

On 07/27/2009, Monday night, Prentiss County Authorities executed a search warrant at a CR 8061 residence and discovered the components of a meth lab. Narcotics Investigators and Deputies arrested Timothy Voyles, 42, of 292 CR 1101 Booneville and charged him with controlled substance, manufacture, sell, distribute, etc. Bond has not been set at this time. He was on probation with the Mississippi Department of Corrections and a hold has been placed on him for revocation. Prentiss County authorities were assisted by Booneville Narcotics and North Ms Narcotics Unit. This was an investigation that had been going on for some time and there may be additional arrests stem from the search..

Sheriff Randy M. Tolar

On Thursday, July 16, 2009 Narcotics Investigators with the Prentiss County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant at 20 CR 7010 Booneville. Investigators discovered approx. 1/4 of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. The Sheriff's Office was assisted by members of North Mississippi Narcotics and Booneville Narcotics. Investigators arrested Greda Williams, 32, of 20 CR 7010 Booneville. Her bond was set at $5,000 and is free on bond. She was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance ( Marijuana).


Sheriff Tolar

The Prentiss County Sheriff's Department has arrested a Jumpertown man on charges of operating a chop shop, said Sheriff Randy Tolar. Henry Lawson, 67, of 49 CR 7149, Booneville, was charged July 10, with operating a chop shop, possessing, selling or transferring an automobile or automobile part with a switched vehicle identification number (VIN) and actual switching of the VIN plate, Tolar said. He is free on $25,000 bond. The investigation began about a month ago. A search warrant was executed at a residence at 35 CR 7149 where law enforcement officers seized two Chevrolet trucks, both of which had switched VIN plates, Tolar said. One of the trucks, a gold 2001 extended cab four-door Chevrolet Silverado, had been reported stolen April 25 from Logan's Restaurant in Tupelo. "I confirmed the person possessing the truck had purchased it from Henry Lawson," he said. The truck reported stolen April 25, had already been titled to another person by May 4 and had a switched VIN. After the residence at CR 7149 was searched, a search warrant was obtained for Lawson's residence and premises, also on CR 7149. "At that point we recovered parts to at least four different vehicles that have been reported stolen over the course of the last year or so," Tolar said. "Three were stolen within the state of Mississippi and one from Illinois." A second search warrant was executed at Lawson's residence/shop July 10, with additional items seized. Lawson has had numerous convictions for auto theft type activities, both in Illinois and Mississippi, he said. His last charges were involving federal charges out of the western district of Tennessee. He had been out of prison about three years and came off federal parole earlier this year, he continued. Three other people were brought in for questioning but have not been charged at this time.The entire case will be presented to the next Prentiss County grand jury in October and there may be other charges forthcoming.

On 07/06/2009, Prentiss County Deputies Derrick Hester and Tammy Johnson accompanied a Local bank Representative to a house and property that was in the process of being vandalized. Upon arrival at the location just south of Booneville, off Meadowcreek Road, Deputies discovered several individuals at and in the house. Two individuals were arrested. One for misdemeanor drug charges. That individual was on parole and remains in custody pending a revocation hearing. The second individual, Sandra Baylee, age 40 of 1208 East Church Street Booneville , was arrested and charged with Possession of Controlled Substance being Hydomorphine more commonly known as Dilaudid. She had numerous dosage units in her possession at the time of her arrest. Her bond was set at $10,000. She is free on Bond.

Sheriff Randy M. Tolar

On 07/03/2009, Prentiss County Narcotics Investigators executed a search warrant on CR 7301 and discovered a meth lab. This was the second time recently that this same location was searched. A meth lab was recovered the previous occasion also. Deputies arrested Jason Hargett, 27 of CR7301 Boooneville, and charged him with Conspiracy and Manufacture of a Controlled Substance. His bond was set at $150,000. He remains in custody.