TEENS PLEAD GUILTY TO RIDGELAND CARJACKING

Madison and Rankin County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that six teenagers have pled guilty for attempting to carjack a man in Ridgeland. Ahmaud Lampkin, 14; Cortarrius Huff, 19; Pernell Moore, 16; Braylon Cooper 17; Tristan Burns, 14; Camerious Huff, 16, all pled guilty in front of Judge Dewey Arthur in Madison County Circuit Court. 

On December 31, 2023 the group of teens left a hotel on Ridgewood Road and began walking through the At Home parking lot and onto County Line Road. The group had a handgun and were planning on carjacking someone. They arrived at the Ridgeland Ranch Apartments and found a man loading items into his car. Four of the individuals approached the man and took his keys from him while threatening him with the gun. 

The teens were unable to get the car to start and ran off through the nearby Christ Covenant School and Waffle House. The Ridgeland Police Department were immediately notified and were able to quickly locate four of the juveniles in the Northpark area of Ridgeland. RPD investigators also obtained fingerprints off the victim’s car that matched one of the suspects, and surveillance from multiple businesses on County Line showing their approach and departure from the crime scene. Finally, a forensic examination of a cell phone contained a video of the teens joking about carjacking someone while waving the gun around. 

Ahmaud Lampkin was the individual holding the gun during the carjacking. He pled to Armed Carjacking & Conspiracy to Commit Armed Carjacking and was sentenced to fifteen years to serve. Cortarrius Huff was present at the carjacking and pled to Armed Carjacking and Directing a Minor to Commit a Felony and was sentenced to serve twenty years. Pernell Moore was present at the carjacking and pled to Armed Carjacking and Conspiracy and was sentenced to serve ten years. Braylon Cooper was present at the carjacking and pled to Armed Carjacking. His sentencing was set off until September 30, 2024. The remaining two juveniles were not in the immediate vicinity of the victim during the carjacking as they ran off when a firearm was displayed. Tristan Burns pled to Conspiracy to Commit Armed Carjacking and was sentenced to serve one year. Camerious Huff pled to Conspiracy to Commit Armed Carjacking and was sentenced to five years to serve. Each defendant was sentenced based on their individual involvement in the planning and execution of the crime, use or possession of the firearm, and cooperation with law enforcement’s investigation. 

Defendant: Ahmaud Lampkin 

DOB: August 20, 2009 

Defendant: Cortarrius Huff 

DOB: May 07, 2004 

Defendant: Pernell Moore 

DOB: September 11, 2007 

Defendant: Braylon Cooper 

DOB: August 3, 2006 

Defendant: Tristan Burns 

DOB: May 15, 2009 

Defendant: Camerious Huff 

DOB: March 8, 2007

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Inmate Convicted of Sexual Battery of Central Mississippi Correctional Facility Employee Will Serve Thirty Years

Rankin, MS—Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Ernest Mayfield, an inmate at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF), was sentenced to the maximum allowed, 30 years, day for day, for sexual battery by Circuit Court Judge Steve Ratcliff. 

Mayfield, a habitual offender with two prior convictions of Methamphetamine possession, was given the maximum sentence possible by Judge Ratcliff. 

On September 17, 2021, Mayfield, who had only recently been booked into the CMCF a few days prior, broke into a female employee’s office at the correctional facility and sexually assaulted her. 

The case went to trial on April 30, 2024. During the two-day trial, the State called the victim, multiple forensic experts, and other witnesses to the stand before the jury returned a guilty verdict. 

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “I appreciate all the hard work from both my office and multiple law enforcement agencies to secure a guilty verdict in this matter. We are glad to put this lifelong habitual criminal in prison for the next thirty years.” 

Defendant: 

Name: Ernest Mayfield 

Date of Birth: 04/26/2001 

TEEN PLEADS TO MADISON COUNTY MURDER

Madison and Rankin County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that on June 24, 2024, Dawton Gage Whatley, 19 of Walls, Mississippi, pled guilty to second degree murder in the death of Lemetrius Hollins. 

On February 5, 2024, officers with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to 101 Haley Creek in Madison for a welfare check. Deputies had received information out of Washington County, Mississippi that Dawton Whatley was in custody on unrelated charges in their jurisdiction and claimed he had shot Hollins a few days earlier. 

Once officers arrived at the home, they found the body of Hollins inside. It appeared he had been shot days earlier. Investigators traveled to Washington County and transported Whatley back to the Sheriff’s Department. After several conversations with the suspect, Whatley was charged with murder. It appeared the two men knew each other because Hollins had acted as a guardian and mentor to Whatley in his teen years and Whatley had been living with Hollins prior to the murder. The exact motive remains unclear although Whatley did admit to shooting Hollins one time on February 3. 

Whatley was indicted on June 7, 2024 and pled guilty June 24. Sentencing will be July 16. 

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “We appreciate the work that both the Madison and Washington County Sheriff’s Departments did on this case. Madison County investigators quickly appreciated the seriousness of the tip and started a full-scale investigation. They were able to track the suspect from the home in Madison County to Washington County through multiple sources. The strength of the investigation is what made such a quick case turnaround possible and what ultimately led to Mr. Whatley pleading guilty three weeks after his indictment. We hope the family of Mr. Hollins can begin to get closure now that the criminal case is over.” 

Defendant: Dawton Gage Whatley 

DOB: 11/14/2004 

Canton Man Sentenced to Twenty-Five Years for Sale of Fentanyl

Madison and Rankin County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that on June 24, 2024, Judge Dewey Arthur sentenced Denarious Evans, 24, to twenty-five years without the possibility of parole for the sale of fentanyl. 

On three separate occasions in August and November of 2023, agents with Madison Police Department and Gluckstadt Police Department conducted days of surveillance which showed several drug transactions between Evans and confidential informants in the cities of Madison and Gluckstadt. 

Evans was previously convicted in April 2024 for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Stolen Firearm from charges out of the city of Ridgeland, MS. He was sentenced to fifteen years for those offenses. Evans has three (3) other prior felony convictions from Madison, Oktibbeha and Leake counties for various crimes including possession of a stolen firearm, business burglary, and introduction of contraband into a correctional facility. 

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “Let this young man’s sentence be a reminder to not sell fentanyl in Madison and Rankin Counties. We take this crime very seriously because people are dying every day from fentanyl overdoses. Additionally, Denarious Evans is only 24 years old and had already been convicted of at least four felonies before he came before Judge Arthur on these sale charges. Due to the large number of prior convictions and the amount of fentanyl pills he sold, he will have to serve everyday of this sentence. We would like to thank both MPD and GPD for their great work on this case and all they are doing trying to stop the flow of deadly fentanyl into our counties.” 

Defendant: 

Name: Denarious D. Evans 

DOB: 04/08/2000 

Madison County Assistant District Attorney Scott Rogillio Named Mississippi Prosecutor of the Year

Madison, MS —Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Scott Rogillio was named the Mississippi Prosecutor of the Year at this week's 2024 Public Safety Summit held in Flowood, MS. This recognition, presented by Governor Tate Reeves, Attorney General Lynn Fitch, and Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell, is a testament to Rogillio’s exceptional service and dedication to the field of prosecution. 

ADA Rogillio, a seasoned legal professional with a career spanning over thirty years, has been with the 20th Congressional District’s Madison office since September 2019. Prior to coming to Madison, he was a prosecutor with the Hinds District Attorney’s Office, the 16th District Attorney’s Office, the 21st District Attorney’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office. 

“Scott’s unwavering dedication, tireless commitment, and relentless work ethic in ensuring that all our Madison murder cases are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law is a source of inspiration for our entire office,” expressed Bramlett. “His recognition as Mississippi Prosecutor of the Year is a well-deserved honor, and we are immensely proud and grateful to have him as a leader on our team.” 

Pictured from L-R: Attorney General Lynn Finch, ADA Scott Rogillio, and Public Safety Commissioner Tindell. 

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Ridgeland Man Pleads Guilty to Gratification of Lust

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, announced today that Ronnie Hales, 44, pled guilty to one count of gratification of lust for molesting his then-girlfriend’s ten year old daughter. He was sentenced to serve 10 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections without the possibility of early release or parole. Hales will have to register as a sex offender upon his release. 

On February 11, 2023, investigators with the Ridgeland Police Department received a complaint of sexual abuse involving a minor female. The child had reported to her biological father that her mother’s boyfriend had been molesting her since she was eight years old. Officers immediately began an investigation which included a forensic interview of the child through the Child Advocacy Center. A forensic interview is a child friendly conversation with children who are alleged victims of sexual or physical abuse. During this process, a trained specialist asks non-leading questions in a manner as to limit further trauma to the child while also getting any details of abuse. During her interview, the child disclosed multiple incidents of sexual abuse at the hands of the Defendant. The child explained that most of these incidents of abuse had occurred in her bed. 

Based on her disclosures, investigators executed a search warrant at Hales’ home, which he shared with the child’s mother. They seized several items from the home including the sheets from the child’s bed. The Mississippi Crime Lab tested the sheets and located a substance on the sheets which indicated possible seminal fluid as well as the Defendant’s DNA. 

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “We would like to thank the many state agencies who worked together to ensure my office could obtain a conviction in this matter. The Ridgeland Police Department, the Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center, and the Mississippi Crime Lab were all crucial parts of the investigative process in this case. We hope the minor child in this matter can now have some closure in this matter and move forward from her abuse.” 

Defendant: 

Name: Ronnie Gene Hales 

Date of Birth: 03/09/1980 

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Repeat Offender Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation: Will Serve Fifty Years in MDOC

Rankin, MS - Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced today that Willard Geven Knight, 33, was sentenced to serve a total of 50 years for multiple counts of child exploitation, which must be served without the possibility of parole. 

In January 2023, deputies from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department began working an undercover operation to identify an individual using social networks to receive, traffic, share, and distribute images and videos depicting child pornography. The investigation revealed that Knight had recently moved from his home located in Rankin County to Wesson. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC), and Homeland Security assisted in the apprehension of Knight at his home in Wesson. During the search of his residence, multiple electronic devices were seized during the arrest and were processed by the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department. Those devices contained numerous photos and videos of child pornography. 

At the time of his arrest, Knight was already a registered sex offender who was on supervised probation through the Mississippi Department of Corrections for a 2015 conviction for child exploitation. In the 2015 case, which the Attorney General’s Office prosecuted, Knight was sentenced to 40 years to serve, with 35 of those years suspended. He spent five years in prison and was released onto supervised probation through MDOC. 

Upon his arrest for the new 2023 charges, Judge Dewey Arthur revoked the suspended sentence and ordered that he serve the entirety of the previously suspended sentence of 35 years. 

In April of 2024, Knight pled guilty to the new charges of child exploitation. Upon completion of the 35-year sentence imposed by Judge Arthur, he will serve an additional fifteen years for this conviction. Knight will now serve a total of 50 years, day for day, without the possibility of parole or early release. 

“We appreciate the diligent efforts of the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, MDOC, and Homeland Security in ensuring this dangerous repeat child sex offender is off the streets and locked away for the next 50 years,” stated Bramlett.“ 

Defendant: 

Name: Willard Geven Knight 

Date of Birth: 04/05/1991 

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Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Possession of Cocaine in Madison County

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, announced today that Johnnie Earl Bradley pled guilty to possession with the intent to sell cocaine and was sentenced to serve 25 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections. 

In late 2021, law enforcement began an investigation into an individual suspected of bringing drugs into Jackson on I55 while driving an 18-wheeler. The suspect then transported smaller quantities of the drugs into Canton via passenger vehicle. Investigators applied for and received a warrant which allowed them to place a tracker onto his passenger vehicle. 

On December 22, 2021, a Madison Count6y deputy stopped the car on I-55 heading towards Canton. When the officer approached the car, the deputy’s K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. The officer searched the vehicle and found a bookbag containing various drugs including cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. 

The Mississippi Crime Lab confirmed it was 29.89 grams of cocaine along with 2.52 grams of methamphetamine, and 47.96 grams of Tetrahydrocannabinol. Based on the findings of their investigation, Bradley was charged with possession of 10-30 grams of cocaine with the intent to sale. He admitted they were his and pled guilty in Madison County Circuit Court. Bradley was previously convicted of possession of 10-30 grams of cocaine in Rankin County Circuit Court. 

Defendant: 

Name: Johnnie Earl Bradley 

Date of Birth: 06/04/1982 

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Man Sentenced to 32 Years in Prison for Selling Fentanyl in Madison County

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, announced today that Michael D. Pendelton, of Pearl, pled guilty to one counts of sale of fentanyl one count of conspiracy to sell fentanyl. He was sentenced to serve 32 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections. 

On December 28, 2022, narcotics investigators with the Madison Police Department began working with a confidential informant who stated she could buy oxycodone pills from Pendelton. The CI was given $700 in official law enforcement funds and, using CashApp, sent Pendelton those funds in exchange for him bringing her the pills. He sent his girlfriend into the city of Madison to meet the CI and the pills were exchanged. 

The Mississippi Crime Lab tested the pills purchased by the confidential informant and confirmed it was fifty fentanyl pills. Oxycodone is one of the most common prescription narcotics to be purchased from illegal sources. Many times these pills are actually counterfeit pills containing fentanyl even though they look identical to legitimate oxycodone pills. Just one dose of fentanyl can be fatal. 

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “Fentanyl is killing people every single day. The vast majority of the people overdosing are teenagers or in their twenties. Law enforcement has prioritized tracking down fentanyl dealers. My office is sending anyone caught with fentanyl to prison. Please use this as a reminder to talk to your kids, especially your teenagers, about the dangers of buying pills off the streets and the high overdose risk of fentanyl. The only two outcomes if you are using or selling fenantyl is prison or an overdose. I would like to personally thank and recognize the Madison Police Department for their tireless efforts to identify and catch those dealing fentanyl in Madison. Because of them, countless lives have been saved.” 

Defendant: 

Name: Mitchell D. Pendelton 

Date of Birth: 06/08/1981 

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High School Student Sentenced for Threats and Possession of Firearm on School Property

Rankin County—Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Chance DePaul Smith, 19, of Brandon, MS, pled guilty to retaliation against a public servant and possession of a deadly weapon on education property, both relating to his threats against a Brandon High School teacher on September 9, 2022.

At the time of the incident, Smith was an 18-year-old high school student enrolled at Brandon High School. In addition to threatening the teacher, Smith threatened to shoot up the school in retaliation for the teacher telling him to stop yelling in the classroom. Smith was also found in possession of a fireman on campus.

Circuit Court Judge Dewey Arthur sentenced Smith to serve ten years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, with the final six years suspended.

“We hope this serious situation is a wake-up call for students and juveniles that if you choose to commit a crime, you can still be processed as an adult, in adult court, with adult sentences,” stated Bramlett. “We are thankful this incident was resolved and that the safety of everyone at the school was kept intact during this tense situation. As always, we appreciate law enforcement, school officials, and the judicial system for pulling together to ensure Smith faces the consequences for his crimes on school property.”

Defendant:

Name: Chance DePaul Smith

Date of Birth: 08/21/2004

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Juvenile Drunk Driver Receives Lengthy Prison Sentence for Death of M.A.D.D. Advocate

Rankin County—Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Circuit Judge Dewey Arthur sentenced Colby James Tackett to serve 15 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for the crime of Aggravated DUI resulting in Death. 

On October 7, 2022, the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department responded to Highway 471 in Brandon for a head-on collision in which the victim, 62-year-old nurse Beverly Luckett, did not survive. The other driver, Tackett, a seventeen-year-old, was intoxicated and swerved his vehicle into the victim’s lane, resulting in the death of Ms. Luckett, a long-time Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) advocate. 

Tackett pled guilty to Aggravated Driving Under the Influence Resulting in Death and was sentenced to the maximum sentence of twenty-five years in prison with the last ten years of the twenty-five-year sentence suspended pending strict compliance with all terms of supervised probation. 

On September 24, 2022, only two weeks before the head-on collision, Tackett had been arrested by the Flowood Police Department for another underage drinking incident. 

“This is a heart-wrenching case,” stated District Attorney Bramlett. “The Luckett family lost the matriarch of their family in a preventable tragedy. It was not lost on anyone that Mr. Tackett should have received the proverbial wake-up call when he was arrested for underage drinking a mere 13 days before he killed Ms. Luckett. Tackett will have to live with the consequences, and I anticipate that the emotional burden will be worse than the significant prison sentence.” 

“On behalf of my office and the citizens I represent, thank you to all the law enforcement officers and first responders who have the unimaginable responsibility of working these traffic fatalities and informing the victims’ families of the senseless loss of their loved ones. Drunk driving affects all of us, and we encourage everyone to think about others before driving impaired,” urged DA Bramlett. 

Defendant:

Name: Colby James Tackett 

Date of Birth: 10/28/2004 

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Rankin County Jury Finds Father Guilty of Felonious Abuse of Child

Rankin County—Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Timothy Warren Wilson, 24, of Foxworth, MS, was found guilty by a Rankin County Circuit Court jury of one count of felonious child abuse. 

Circuit Court Judge Dewey Arthur presided over the five-day trial. After the guilty verdict was handed down, Arthur set sentencing for May 13, 2024, where Wilson faces a sentence of 5 years to life in prison. 

On December 19, 2022, Flowood Fire and Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to Lakeland East Apartments in Flowood in response to reports of an unresponsive 10-week-old child. Upon arrival at the hospital, medical personnel found the infant to have bleeding in three parts of her brain, as well as bleeding in both eyes. 

During the thorough investigation, Wilson, the father of the 10-week-old, was identified as the perpetrator. On 12/29/22, he verbally confessed to being at home alone with the infant and shaking her out of frustration. According to Wilson’s separate written confession, he “shook her for roughly 15 seconds until she was silent.” 

The Defendant’s defense throughout the trial was that the child had a seizure that resulted in her severe injuries. The state brought in witnesses and the state’s pediatric forensic medicine expert to testify that seizures would not have resulted in the severity of injuries seen in this 10-week-old infant. Instead, the baby suffered from Abusive Head Trauma, often referred to as Shaken Baby Syndrome. 

“The coordination between the Flowood Police Department, Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, and the Children’s Safe Center at UMMC were second to none,” stated District Attorney Bramlett. “Every individual involved in this case was vital in bringing justice to this infant. Nobody, especially an innocent infant, should ever have to endure such horrendous brutality, especially at the hands of their father. We are thankful the child made a full recovery from its injuries, and we hope the victim, family members, and other loved ones can continue their healing process.” 

Defendant:

Name: Timothy Warren Wilson 

Date of Birth: 3/5/2000 

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Former Ridgeland Resident Found Guilty of Two Counts of Felony Child Abuse

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, announced today that Akilah Watson, 36, was convicted after a two-day jury trial for two counts of felonious abuse of a child. Circuit Judge Steve Ratcliff set sentencing for May 13. She faces a possible sentence of between five years to life for each charge. 

On July 6, 2023, Child Protective Services received an anonymous report of a mother holding her child at gun point. CPS had two previous reports of abuse involving Watson and her children. CPS and the Ridgeland Police Department responded to Watson’s apartment for a welfare check. Upon arrival, they found a sixteen year old girl and fifteen year old boy at the residence with Watson. After speaking with the minors, it was determined they should both be taken into State custody. The two children disclosed to authorities multiple instances of felonious child abuse dating back several years. The children were placed in temporary foster homes and eventually placed with their godmother. 

Both children testified at trial, and each detailed instances when they were beaten with various objects including an extension cord, walking stick, bat, and belt. The children were also able to show the jury multiple injuries they had received as a result of those beatings. Both children also testified of the mother pistol whipping the female child. 

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “The bravery of these children to testify against the mother they love, compounded by the brutality of the abuse suffered at her hands, did not go unnoticed by the jury during this trial. We are grateful to them both and for the teamwork of, and between, Child Protective Services and the Ridgeland Police Department ensure justice.” 

Defendant: 

Name: Akilah Denise Watson 

Date of Birth: 09/28/1987 

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Canton Man Pleads Guilty to Having Sex with Underage Girls

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, announced today that Bruce Jermal Thompson, 27 of Canton, was sentenced to serve twenty years in the custody of Mississippi Department of Corrections without the possibility of early release or parole. 

In February of 2019, UMC reported to Canton Police Department that they had a fifteen year old female miscarry a child while at the hospital. CPD began an investigation to determine who the father of the child was due to the mother still being under the age of consent. Their investigation and DNA testing confirmed that Thompson was the father. He was 22 years old at the time the baby was conceived, and the victim would have been fourteen. 

Prior to the indictment being served on the Defendant, officers received a complaint from another juvenile’s mother that Thompson had been having sex with her child since the child was 12 years old. Thompson and the juvenile were cousins. Officers searched Facebook and text messages which revealed explicit text messages between Thompson and the underage female indicating that he had been engaging in sexual acts with the child since 2021. 

Neither victim wished to testify against Thompson, who pleaded guilty in each case. He was sentenced to serve twenty years on each case with that time to run concurrently. All time will be served day for day with no chance for early release or parole. Upon release, he will be required to register and report as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Defendant: 

Name: Bruce Jermal Thompson 

Date of Birth: 08/17/1996 

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Two Women Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Identity Theft in Rankin County

Rankin County – Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Judge Dewey Arthur sentenced Sylyndrell Pugh and Samantha Wilson to both serve fifteen years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections for their crimes of Identity Theft in Rankin County. 

On February 17, 2023, the Flowood Police Department received a call regarding two females stealing a lady’s purse inside the store of TJ Maxx at the Dogwood Shopping Center. Flowood Police responded to the scene, obtained a description of the vehicle they were traveling in, quickly located the vehicle, and conducted a traffic stop. During the traffic stop, officers searched the car and found several items of new merchandise from Belk and Target. They also found purchase receipts, several gift cards, marijuana, and a wallet that did not belong to the suspects. Officers searched Wilson and found a credit card belonging to the victim from TJ Maxx and a driver’s license belonging to another individual. Both females were arrested and taken into custody. 

Shortly after the arrests, the Flowood Police Department received multiple reports from other victims claiming their wallets were stolen while grocery shopping at Kroger and that their credit cards had been fraudulently used at Belk and Target. Flowood investigators obtained surveillance video and found that the same suspects were responsible for these thefts and fraudulent conduct. Additionally, Flowood investigators found that the receipts, credit cards, and identification information found during the vehicle search belonged to the victims. 

“Sylyndrell Pugh and Samantha Wilson are career criminals with a history of fraudulent conduct all over the United States,” stated District Attorney Bramlett. “We applaud the outstanding work of the officers and investigators of the Flowood Police Department. The success of these two cases exemplifies what happens when a community's citizens, retailers, and businesses work hand in hand with law enforcement.” 

Defendants

Name: Sylyndrell Pugh 

Date of Birth: 05/04/1979 

Name: Samantha Wilson 

Date of Birth: 01/08/1973 

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Brandon Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Battery Against Minors and Will Serve Twenty Years

Rankin County - Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, announced that Judge Dewey Arthur sentenced Christopher Coursey to a term of twenty-five years for sexual battery involving two minor children. Coursey, 39, will serve 20 years of his sentence in prison and then be placed on supervised probation for five years. He must register as a sex offender and will have no contact with his victims. 

On July 20, 2022, the Brandon Police Department received a walk-in complaint about Coursey sexually assaulting two young children for the last year and a half. The child victims had a forensic interview at the Parker Children’s Center, which is a child-friendly setting where the child can safely tell their story with professionals trained to interview children in a nonleading manner. Additionally, both children were seen for medical exams at the Mississippi Children’s Safe Center. 

The Brandon Police Department interviewed witnesses, reviewed phone records and text messages, and interviewed the defendant. The defendant confessed to committing some of the crimes reported by the victims. Based on the investigation, the defendant was charged with multiple sex crimes against the two victims. 

“We hope this sentence gives some closure to the victims and their families who have had to endure these horrendous acts,” stated District Attorney Bramlett. “We appreciate the Brandon Police Department, Parker Children’s Center, and Mississippi Children’s Safe Center for the part they played in ensuring Coursey will serve prison time for the terrible things he did to these two innocent children.” 

Defendant: 

Name: Christopher Coursey 

Date of Birth: 06/21/1984 

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Possession of Cocaine and Handgun in Madison County Lands Jackson Man in Prison

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, announced that Damarius Rashon Graham, 32, of Jackson, will spend every day of the next fifteen (15) years of his life in prison for the crimes of trafficking in controlled substances and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in Madison County, Mississippi. 

On September 30, 2022 an officer with the Madison Police Department made a traffic stop on a vehicle for driving northbound on I55. While explaining the traffic violation to the female driver, the officer smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Officers also noticed that Graham, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, was sitting on top of a firearm. 

Officers asked both individuals to exit the vehicle. Graham stated he was cold, and requested the officer retrieve his jacket from the front passenger seat. The officer patted down the jacket, for officer safety purposes, before handing it to Graham. Inside the jacket, officers located a bag containing marijuana. Upon further inspection of the car, officers found a purple Crown Royal bag in the backseat that contained a large amount of what appeared to be cocaine. 

Officers took custody of the firearm and discovered that it had been reported stolen out of Starkville, Mississippi. They also later learned that Graham had been twice convicted of felony offenses. The suspected drugs were sent to the Mississippi Crime Laboratory and, after a forensic evaluation and testing, the substance was confirmed to be cocaine and weighed over 200 grams, leading to the indictment for aggravated trafficking in controlled substances. 

On Tuesday, January 30, 2024 Graham pled guilty to one count of trafficking in cocaine and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was sentenced to twenty five years with ten suspended for the drug charge and ten years for the possession of a firearm by a felon charge. The court ordered that the sentences were to be served concurrently with another. The time will be served day for day without the possibility of early release or parole. 

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “This individual had been twice convicted of felony crimes and yet he did not learn his lesson those first two times. He was sitting on top of a stolen firearm while knowing it was against the law for him to be in possession of one. He was also knowingly transporting over two hundred grams of cocaine which we can only infer he intended to sell. We are thankful for the officers from Madison Police Department; their actions kept over 200 grams of cocaine from entering the streets of Mississippi.” 

Defendant: 

Name: Damarius Graham 

Date of Birth: 12/05/1991 

Former Richland Music Teacher and Preacher Sentenced to Life in Prison for Sex Crimes

Rankin, MS – Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Judge Dewey Arthur sentenced Samuel Lamar Taylor, 52, to life without parole for one count of sexual battery and 15 years in prison for one count of gratification of lust. Taylor was found guilty of both charges on September 20, 2023. Both sentences will be served day-for-day without the possibility of parole or early release. 

Taylor served as a music teacher for over 25 years at schools across Mississippi, retiring from Richland Upper Elementary School in 2020. Taylor was also a minister at several churches throughout Rankin County, dating back to the 1980s.

On August 23, 2022, the Richland Police Department received a call from Richland Upper Elementary School concerning an 11-year-old autistic child disclosing sexual abuse to his Region 8 counselor. The child identified Taylor, his legal guardian at the time, and gave specific details regarding different instances of abuse perpetrated by Taylor at his home in Richland. 

Due to the quick actions of Region 8, Richland Upper Elementary School, and Richland PD, the child was immediately removed from Taylor’s custody, and a forensic interview was conducted with the child the next day. During his interview, the child recounted, in detail, the sexual abuse he endured from Taylor from 2020-2022.

During the investigation, authorities located and interviewed at least one other victim who alleged Taylor abused him from 1990-91 when Taylor worked as a counselor at the YMCA on Flowers Dr. in Jackson.

“The diligent efforts of faculty and staff from Richland Upper Elementary, Region 8, the Parker Children's Center, and the Richland Police Department are to be commended,” stated Bramlett. “Their quick actions and the voice of this brave child helped ensure this sex offender is locked away for the rest of his life. We hope this lengthy imprisonment brings some closure for the victims and family members.” 

Defendant: 

Name: Samuel Lamar Taylor

Date of Birth: 12/30/1970

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Pearl Woman Pleads Guilty to Capital Murder of Infant Daughter

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett, announced that Makaylia Shaylynn Jolley, 21 of Pearl, was sentenced to life in the State Penitentiary without parole for the capital murder of her two (2) month old daughter. 

The afternoon of May 12, 2022, is a day that bystanders and others on North Bierdeman Road in Pearl, MS will never forget. Pearl Police Department received several 911 calls about a woman grabbing a baby by the ankles and slamming the child onto the concrete multiple times. When law enforcement arrived, they learned that Makaylia Jolley slammed the baby down and left her lying in the road. The baby was Khalysie Lashay Jolley, Makaylia’s two (2) month old daughter. After throwing Khalysie down, Jolley ran off into some nearby woods where she was later taken into custody.

Khalysie was transported to Blair E. Batson where she lived for a few days but unfortunatley died from her injuries on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Khalysie sustained extensive skull fractures, brain swelling, abrasions, hemorrhages to her eyes, a right elbow fracture, left thumb fracture, and brain bleeding. Khalysie’s cause of death was homicide as a result of blunt force injuries to the head. 

Makaylia Jolley was taken for medical treatment and evaluation at UMMC prior to being released to the Pearl Police Department. During her interview, Jolley stated that she hurt her baby and she didn’t know why she did it, but it was an accident. There were several eyewitnesses to the abuse and killing by Jolley. Additionally, Jolley’s family members were interviewed about the time leading up to the crime and what they witnessed. 

On November 17, 2022, a Rankin County Grand Jury indicted Jolley for Capital Murder. This was based upon the killing of Khalysie while in the commission of the felony crime of child abuse. On May 15, 2023, at the court’s settlement conference, the Madison and Rankin County District Attorney’s office, announced that the State of Mississippi would seek the death penalty at a trial.

Jolley underwent a mental evaluation. On September 13, 2023, a report on the mental evaluation was submitted to the Court, which stated that Jolley was competent to stand trial. On October 31, 2023, the Rankin County District Attorney’s Office sent a plea offer to Jolley allowing her to plead guilty to Capital Murder and be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole rather than to proceed to trial wherein the State would seek the death penalty. Jolley was given a deadline of Friday, November 3, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. to file a guilty plea petition and on Friday, she filed that petition.  

On November 6, 2023, Jolley, who was represented by Rankin County Public Defenders and the Office of the State Public Defender, appeared before Judge Steve Ratcliff to plea guilty. Prior to accepting the guilty plea, the defense and the State presented the mental evaluation report and an agreed order finding Jolley competent to stand trial. Following the competency hearing, a stoic Jolley pleaded guilty to capital murder for the abuse and killing of her daughter Khalysie Jolley. 

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “This is an unexplainable and heinous crime against an innocent child. My office thanks the witnesses, the EMTs, the medical providers at Blair E. Batson and the Mississippi Children’s Safe Center, the Pearl Police Department and the Pearl Fire Department for their work on this case. Those men and women will forever be affected by what they saw on May 12, 2022. The very woman who was supposed to love and support Khlaysie is the one who chose drugs over her children and caused Khlaysie’s death. Makaylia Jolley will die in prison where she belongs for committing these crimes against her daughter.”

Defendant: 

Name: Makaylia Shaylynn Jolley  

Date of Birth: 05/10/2002

Flora Man Found Guilty of First Degree Murder

District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced today that Jakeviyon Hunter, 22, of Flora was found guilty of one count of first degree murder and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle after a three day jury trial in the Madison County Circuit Court. Circuit Judge Dewey Arthur sentenced him to life in prison for the murder charge and five years for shooting into a vehicle. 

On January 21, 2023, law enforcement officers with the Madison County Sheriff’s office were called to 623 St. Charles St. in Flora on reports of an individual being shot. Upon arrival, deputies found Jaquarius Ross deceased with multiple gun shots to the left side of his body. Officers were able to obtain surveillance footage from a neighboring home. The video showed Ross pull up at the residence, and almost immediately an individual approached his truck and fired approximately nine shots into the vehicle. The suspect then fled on foot. Officers could tell the suspect was wearing a tan colored hoodie. 

The passenger of the vehicle was unharmed and was able to tell officers that Hunter was the gunman. Investigators were then able to track Hunter down and obtain a search warrant for his cell phone. Phone records showed that Hunter had told Ross to come to his home under the guise of bringing him a pair of shoes. Investigators had found the shoes still in Ross’s lap when he was murdered. They were also able to use the location data stored on Hunter’s phone to put him on the scene. Finally, officers discovered a social media post that Hunter made hours before the shooting wherein he was wearing a tan hoodie matching the one seen on the original surveillance tape. It appears Hunter was motivated by a prior dispute between the two. 

District Attorney Bubba Bramlett stated, “This was such a senseless shooting, and because of it, Jaquarius Ross lost his life and Jakeviyon Hunter will spend the rest of his life behind bars. We hope the guilty verdict gives Mr. Ross’s family closure and our hearts go out to them for their loss. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office conducted an extensive investigation in this matter which led to the quick apprehension of Mr. Hunter. Finally, we thank all of those who showed up for jury duty. Madison and Rankin counties cannot remain among the best counties in this State without citizens who are willing to show up and do their civic duty.” 

Defendant: 

Name: Jakeviyon Hunter 

Date of Birth: 09/27/2001