Madison County Drug Dealer Receives 40-Year Sentence
Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. Bramlett, Jr., announced today that Jeremiah Kelly was sentenced to 40 years for trafficking a controlled substance.
Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. Bramlett, Jr., announced today that Jeremiah Kelly was sentenced to 40 years for trafficking a controlled substance. Kelly will not be eligible for early release and will have to serve his sentence day-for-day. His arrest netted marijuana, cocaine, weapons, more than $150,000 in cash and a ledger of those who purchased drugs from him in the past.
In December 2017, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office heard several recorded conversations between Kelly and an inmate regarding a shipment of drugs that was arriving and how to receive and distribute them. Deputies kept Kelly under surveillance for several days until the shipment arrived.
Deputies executed warrants on several houses in Canton where they found drugs, money and guns. Kelly was at one of the locations, where deputies found him in the master bedroom. He was arrested without incident.
District Attorney Bramlett stated, “This is an example of outstanding work done by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. They should be applauded for all of the work they did in removing a major drug dealer from our streets.”
District Attorney Bramlett concluded, “Removing Kelly from our society, which could be for the rest of his life, is removing one more major drug dealer from our community who seeks to sell their illegal and dangerous drugs to kids and others. As we have learned over many decades, drugs are a major component to other crimes. We simply will not tolerate drug dealers attempting to take over Madison and Rankin Counties. Law enforcement, judges and prosecutors will stand firm and united against people like Kelly.”
The caller then instructs the victim to send money to avoid arrest. The victim is asked to provide their bank account information or send money via cash app, PayPal, Venmo, or a wire transfer. In other cases, the scammer may trick the victim into providing more sensitive personal information like their date of birth, Social Security number, or credit or debit card numbers.
“Please be aware that even though these calls appear to be from a local police or sheriff departments phone number, a law officer or judge will never demand payment from a public member, nor would an officer come to collect money from you,” stated Bramlett. “These scammers are using real names, and it appears they have all your correct information, but please don’t fall victim.”
Courts almost exclusively contact individuals about jury duty or missed jury duty by postal mail. NOT by phone or email. In addition, actual court-related phone calls are only made during regular business hours. So please do not fall victim to this phone scam or any other scam in which someone you do not know asks for personal information or banking information.
If you feel you have fallen victim to this missed jury duty scam or any other telephone scam, please report the incident to 601.825.1472.
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Rankin County Toy Store Robber Sentenced To Forty Years In Prison
Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. Bramlett, Jr., announced today that Erik Lamar Lewis was sentenced to 40 years for Armed Robbery of a Flowood toy store.
Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. Bramlett, Jr., announced today that Erik Lamar Lewis was sentenced to 40 years for Armed Robbery of a Flowood toy store. Lewis has two prior felony convictions for armed robbery and will not be eligible for early release or parole. Lewis will serve the next 40 years day-for-day in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
On October 27, 2017, Lewis entered a toy store in the Dogwood commercial area of Flowood, produced a gun and demanded money from the owner. The Flowood Police Department’s quick response and investigation recovered critical video surveillance of the individual and a description of the suspected get-away vehicle. On November 5, 2017, while on routine patrol a Flowood Police Officer spotted a vehicle matching the description in the Dogwood commercial area and investigated the vehicle.
The owner of the vehicle was determined to be Lewis who was a kitchen employee of an area restaurant. Lewis was located and detained. A search of the vehicle revealed items used during the robbery including the gun and clothing that matched the suspect in the video surveillance. Lewis was arrested. Law enforcement prepared a photo line up and the toy store owner positively identified Lewis as the robber. Enhanced still images of the robbery from the video surveillance also revealed is was Lewis. When questioned by Flowood Police Officers Lewis made several incriminating statements regarding the robbery.
District Attorney Bramlett stated, “Lewis is a violent criminal who will now spend his next forty years in prison. This was his third armed robbery; there won’t be a fourth. We will not tolerate violent criminals who prey upon our citizens.”
District Attorney Bramlett concluded, “I commend the outstanding work of the Flowood Police Department throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case. Their hard work resulted in a violent and habitual criminal being removed from our streets.”
Teaonta Clark Sentenced to Forty Years for Armed Robbery That Resulted in Death of 13-year-old Boy
Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. Bramlett, Jr., announced today Teaonta Jymon Clark will spend the next forty years in prison after an armed robbery which resulted in a father being shot and his 13-year-old son being murdered.
Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. Bramlett, Jr., announced today Teaonta Jymon Clark will spend the next forty years in prison after an armed robbery which resulted in a father being shot and his 13-year-old son being murdered.
On October 27, 2014 Tony Clark and his nephew, Teaonta Clark, entered the Fat Boys convenience store with the intentions of robbing the store. Tony Clark pulled a gun and shot both the store owner, Fahd Saeed, and his son, Muhammed Saeed. Muhammed died on scene of his injuries. Both Tony and Teaonta Clark fled the state shortly after the murder and armed robbery but were brought back to Mississippi to face various charges.
On September 21, 2018, a jury unanimously voted on the death penalty for Tony Clark. Teoanta Clark pled guilty to armed robbery on December 10, 2018 and sentencing was set for today. Judge John Emfinger sentenced Clark to forty years to serve. That time will be served without the chance for early release or parole.
District Attorney Bramlett stated, “These were the actions of two selfish criminals who needlessly and cruelly took the life of a 13 year old child in the hopes of a quick pay day. I am grateful for the hard work of the Canton Police Department in investigating this awful crime. While no amount of prison time can bring back Muhammed for his family, we hope that today’s sentence, in addition to the death penalty sentence for Tony Clark, will bring much needed closure. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the Saeed family.”
Madison Man Found Guilty of Gratification of Lust
Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. Bramlett, Jr., announced today that Tracy Cornelius Ellis was found guilty by a Madison County jury for Gratification of Lust.
Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. Bramlett, Jr., announced today that Tracy Cornelius Ellis was found guilty by a Madison County jury for Gratification of Lust. Sentencing is scheduled for March.
On January 27, 2018, the parent of the youngest girl went to the Ridgeland Police Department because an argument between she and Ellis revealed that he was having the sisters perform sexual acts on him when they reached the age of ten.
On multiple occasions, Ellis would have the young girls touch him inappropriately in his bedroom and the family living room. The girls were scared to tell authorities or a parent because Ellis had threatened them on numerous occasions and they were afraid of him.
District Attorney Bramlett stated, “Ellis is a sick individual who used his position of trust to prey upon young girls. These children, who are now unfortunately victims of a heinous and sick crime, did have the courage to tell authorities what Ellis was doing to them even in light of the threats he had made.”
District Attorney Bramlett concluded, “These little girls, law enforcement, prosecutors, members of the jury, and the judge have removed a dangerous child predator from our streets. I hope the verdict will bring some closure to the family.”
In addition to the pending sentence, Ellis will be required to register with the Mississippi Sexual Offender Registry.
Defendant:
Name: Tracy Cornelius Ellis
Address: 831 Rice Road, Ridgeland
Date of Birth: August 8, 1981
Former city clerk served with indictments in ongoing Canton voter fraud investigation
JACKSON, MS (WLBT) – There are new developments in the ongoing voter fraud investigation in Canton.
JACKSON, MS (WLBT) – There are new developments in the ongoing voter fraud investigation in Canton.
It has been confirmed that former city clerk Valerie Smith–who were are told retired in December after 23 years on the job–was served Wednesday with three separate indictments for violation of voter registration statues.
According to the indictment, Smith willfully and unlawfully refused or neglected to perform her duties regarding the registration of voters.
More charges were brought against Courtney Rainey, a Canton School Board member and the City’s Director of Human and Cultural Needs, earlier this week. She, along with Alderman Andrew Grant, was charged with voter fraud and conspiracy to commit voter fraud.
Madison and Rankin County District Attorney, John K. Bramlett, Jr. issued a statement Wednesday evening. He says in the past week, three additional sets of indictments have been issued and have been served by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department for allegations of voter fraud, conspiracy and violation of voter registration statutes.
These indictments are in addition to those who were served in December 2018. He also says in the statement, “several individuals have recently been served with indictments resulting from an investigation into allegations of voter fraud in Madison County. Each indictment speaks for itself. This Office will not tolerate individuals who seek to undermine the integrity of our election process, and those who engage in voter fraud or related criminal activities will be prosecuted.”
Bramlett on Role as District Attorney
John K. Bramlett Jr. was recently appointed by Gov. Phil Bryant as District Attorney for the 20th Circuit Court District, which includes Madison and Rankin counties.
John K. Bramlett Jr. was recently appointed by Gov. Phil Bryant as District Attorney for the 20th Circuit Court District, which includes Madison and Rankin counties. He replaces Michael Guest, who was elected to the U.S. Congress. Bramlett has served as an assistant district attorney in the 20th Circuit Court District since 2015. The Madison resident holds a bachelor of science in business administration from the University of Mississippi and a juris doctorate from the Mississippi College School of Law. Bramlett recently spoke with Sun staff reporter Nikki Rowell about his appointment as district attorney.