Officer Patrick Anthony Klis Charged with Three Counts of Sexual Battery of Juvenile

Patrick Anthony Klis, a police officer with the Long Beach Police Department, has been arrested and charged with three counts of sexual battery of a juvenile, according to a news release Saturday from Harrison County Sheriff Melvin Brisolara.

Brisolara said investigators received information on Thursday that Klis was having sexual relations with a 15-year-old juvenile.

Investigators were able to recover evidence and conduct interviews, which led to an arrest warrant being issued for Klis.

He was taken into custody at the Long Beach Police Department and booked into the Harrison County Adult Detention Facility.

Bond was set at $300,000 by Circuit Court Judge John Garguilo.

The Department of Human Resources was called and took custody of the 15-year-old victim. 

Jeremiah Chesney Files Lawsuit Against City

A Jackson man has filed a federal lawsuit against the city and several of its police officers alleging he was assaulted, battered and arrested without cause as he openly and legally carried a pistol at the Jackson Secretary of State Office.

The officers violated Jeremiah Chesney’s constitutional rights under the First, Second and 14th amendments, according to the lawsuit, filed March 13 in U.S. District Court in Detroit. They showed “intentional, outrageous and reckless disregard” for his rights, falsely imprisoned him and seized his pistol without justification or provocation, the lawsuit states.

It asks for a $300,000 judgment against the city and the officers and $600,000 for “punitive or exemplary damages,” costs, interest, attorney’s fees and any other relief.

“He’s gone through a ton of distress and harm,” Chesney’s attorney, Steven Dulan, said Thursday when reached at his office in East Lansing.

“And he wants to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Jackson police Deputy Chief John Holda, the department’s public information officer, said he could not comment on the Chesney case because of the lawsuit. He deferred to the city attorney’s office. Interim City Attorney Bethany Smith said it is not the office’s policy to comment on pending litigation.

Chesney was openly carrying a pistol "on his person in plain view" about 5 p.m. May 15 at the Secretary of State Office in Jackson Crossing mall. He was doing so for both personal protection and to increase awareness that this is lawful in Michigan. The state office is not a “gun-free zone,” and Chesney has a valid concealed pistol license, which requires firearm training and a lack of criminal history, according to the lawsuit.

Officers forcibly removed him from the office, cuffed his hands and put him in the back of a squad car with a police dog.

Officer Timothy Black confiscated his weapon, which still is being held by the police department, according to the lawsuit.

Black; Sgt. Paul Gross; Officers William Mills, Peter Postma and Cary Kingston; and Matthew Heins, Jackson’s director of police and fire services, are named in the suit.

Chesney spent two days in the Jackson County jail before he was arraigned May 17 on charges of resisting or obstructing officers and carrying a firearm in the commission of a felony.

The charges were dismissed in September, court records show. The “interests of justice” were the cited reason, the lawsuit states.

Chesney did nothing wrong, Dulan said. “He was literally just in possession of his gun at this time.”

The involved officers overreacted, he said. “They pulled his hair, treated him quite roughly.”

Dulan said cameras from the Secretary of State Office and a police vehicle or police vehicles captured the incident on video and the video showed Chesney did not resist.

An effort Friday to reach Chesney was not successful.

As a result of the officers’ actions, Chesney suffered physical and emotional injury, loss of freedom and loss of other constitutionally protected rights, the lawsuit states. He was humiliated, mortified and embarrassed.

The lawsuit further alleges the police department has not properly trained its officers in Michigan firearms law. City police have repeated violated the constitutional rights of people like Chesney, the suit states.

It seems there is a lack of training in cities all around Michigan, said Dulan, who sits on the board of the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners, does legal instruction for concealed pistol licensees and teaches firearms issues at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. “Street officers either don’t know the law or don’t care what the law is,” he said.

Dulan also is representing a Grand Rapids man in a similar, pending case filed in December in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids. Johann Deffert was walking March 3, 2013, on a public sidewalk, openly carrying a holstered pistol, when an officer approached. He drew his service pistol and aimed it at Deffert, according to the lawsuit. He ordered Deffert to the ground, handcuffed him behind his back and removed the gun from the holster. The Grand Rapids Press obtained a video of the confrontation.

“The stop, pat-down search and brief detention of plaintiff were supported by reasonable suspicion and/or other legal cause,” assistant city attorneys wrote in a response to the lawsuit.

Officer Tamara Miliken Arrested for DUI

A Byram police officer is out of jail after her arrest on charges of driving under the influence.

Officer Tamara Miliken was arrested Saturday at a checkpoint on Brandon Road.
She bonded out of jail shortly after she was booked.

Milliken was once a commander with the Jackson Police Department.

Deputy Bobby Joe Chandler Arrested for Sexual Battery on Juvenile

A Harrison County deputy who once served as deputy warden at the county jail has been accused of sexual battery.

Bobby Joe Chandler, 64, of Gulfport, was arrested Saturday on a charge that alleges sexual involvement with a girl who is a juvenile.

Sheriff Melvin Brisolara confirmed the arrest Monday.

"He was terminated today," Brisolara said.

Chandler was booked at the Hancock County jail and held on a $100,000.

Booking him at a neighboring jail is standard procedure to ensure his safety, the sheriff said.

Chandler had been promoted to deputy warden at the Harrison County jail Feb. 1, 2008.

Brisolara said Chandler served in that capacity less than a year and was named maintenance manager of buildings used by the sheriff's office, including the jail and work center.

"He didn't work in the enforcement part," Brisolara said, "but under the state Constitution, he was still considered a deputy."

The attorney general's office is investigating the case.

Former Officer LaGracha Amon Carter-Boyd Arrested for Extortion

A former Hazlehurst police officer has been arrested following indictment on one count of extortion.

A Copiah County grand jury indicted 25-year-old LaGracha Amon Carter-Boyd, of Hazlehurst, on Friday and sheriff's deputies arrested Boyd, Attorney General Jim Hood confirmed Monday.

The indictment alleges that Boyd, while on duty, accepted money from a citizen on the pretense of "fixing" a ticket that Boyd had previously issued the same citizen.
If convicted, Boyd faces up to five years in jail.

Former Officer LaGracha Amon Carter-Boyd Arrested for Extortion

Former Hazlehurst police officer LaGracha Amon Carter-Boyd has been arrested following a Copiah County Grand Jury indictment on one count of extortion.

Carter-Boyd, 25, of Hazlehurst, was arrested Friday by officers with the Copiah County Sheriff's Office.

The indictment alleges that Boyd, while on duty, accepted money from a citizen on the pretense of "fixing" a ticket that Boyd had previously issued the same citizen.

If convicted, Boyd faces up to five years behind bars.

Officer Charles Henderson Charged with Pulling Weapon During Altercation While Off-Duty

An off duty Canton Police Officer is accused of pulling his gun on a man during an altercation outside a restaurant. Officer Charles Henderson faces a misdemeanor charge for the threatening behavior.

“It’s always disappointing anytime any of our officers is focused on in a negative manner,“ said Canton Police Chief Vickie McNeill. “That’s hurtful to the department, but we’ll deal with it. He is a part of our department. We’ll look at every side of it and make a decision based on that.“

Yazoo City Police say Henderson got into a scuffle with a man at the Rib Eye Steak House in Yazoo City. When the fight heated up they went outside, and Henderson reportedly pulled his gun on the man.

The Canton Police Chief says Henderson has been taken off the streets and is doing desk duty until the case is heard in justice court.

The chief says officers are not allowed to carry their guns off duty.

“This situation came as a surprise to us,“ said Chief McNeill. “Before we can make a call one way or the other, we first must know the investigative report details.“
Chief McNeill says because he faces only a misdemeanor charge and not a felony, even if he is convicted there’s a good chance he won’t won’t lose his job over it.

“I realize that there are gonna be shortcomings here and there because humans are still human beings,“ said Chief McNeill. “And you can’t make them be anything else other than that.“

The chief says Henderson has been an officer with the Canton Police Department for about three years.

Officer Darryl Russell Failed to Yield Causing the Death of Man on Bicycle

An accident reconstruction by the Mississippi Highway Patrol shows that a Waveland police officer failed to yield the right-of-way in an accident that caused the death of a Bay St. Louis bicyclist last year.

Cpl. Johnny Poulos released the results on Friday.

Francisco Jesus Mendoza Suarez, 33, died in the Sept. 21 accident.

Patrolman Darryl Russell pulled out of an eastbound turn lane and attempted to cross U.S. 90 toward the far-right emergency lane.

At the time, Suarez was riding a bicycle in the righthand emergency lane.

As the police car crossed the highway, it was struck by a Cadillac Escalade that was also headed east, Poulos told the Sun Herald in September.

The collision caused the Escalade to veer out of control into the emergency lane, striking Suarez.

Poulos said Russell reported he had attempted to cross the road because Suarez resembled the description of a criminal suspect that had been broadcast to police units in the area.

Russell told investigators that his patrol car’s blue emergency lights had been on when he attempted to cross U.S. 90.

Bay St. Louis police said Suarez was not the suspect.

Waveland Police Chief James Varnell said he could not comment on the case because a lawsuit has been filed by Suarez’s family against the city of Waveland, the police department and Russell.

Immediately after the accident, Russell was placed on administrative leave with pay for four weeks but currently is on duty, Varnell said.

The accident occurred just inside the Bay St. Louis city limits.

Russell was in Bay St. Louis because officers must make a U-turn when westbound on U.S. 90 to return to Waveland.

Animal Control Officer Alonzo Esco Fired for Shooting Dog and Cats

An animal control officer for Canton and Madison County has been fired amid accusations he shot numerous dogs and cats and dumped their carcasses in a creek in Canton.

Canton Police Chief Vickie McNeill would not confirm the number of carcasses and suspected manner of death.

"I will not discuss any specifics, but we have some animals that are dead," McNeill said Wednesday.

Alonzo Esco has been accused of mishandling animals, McNeill said. Esco served as a shared animal control officer for Canton and the county for three years. His salary was not immediately available.

Esco could not be reached for comment.

The Canton Police Department investigation is complete, and the findings have been turned over to the Madison/Rankin district attorney's office, McNeill said. Officials there would not discuss the case other than to say Esco has not been indicted.

McNeill said a citizen's complaint made with the Madison County Sheriff's Department led to the firing, which the Board of Aldermen approved Tuesday.

A woman filed the complaint after a pet she wanted to adopt never turned up at the Mississippi Animal Rescue League. The Sheriff's Department then forwarded the complaint to Canton police, McNeill said.

"That led us to conduct an investigation when the animal wasn't there," she said.

Debra Boswell, director of MARL, said if the allegations against Esco are true, "I'm extremely disappointed and certainly saddened for the animals that their end was met this way."

Boswell said Esco was doing a good job when he started out bringing the Rescue League animals.

If he was doing what he's accused of, Boswell said, "It's a blemish on the animal control officers who have worked so hard to professionalize what they do."

"I don't know why he would select that method of disposal," she said.

"Healthy animals are put down in shelters every day," Boswell said. "While the results may be the same (as killing them outside a shelter), it's how you get there."

Robbie Wilbur, spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Quality, said the agency has received no complaints about the dumping of carcasses in Canton and has no investigation pending.

Wilbur would not address the allegations against Esco. But he said dumping animal remains into the water could cause "public health issues."

The creek has since been cleaned up, McNeill said.

Former Officer Maceo Simmons Re-Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

A former Jackson police officer has been re-sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for sexually assaulting a woman while on duty in 1999.

The Clarion-Ledger reported that U.S. District Judge William Barbour Jr.'s ruling came Thursday in the case against Maceo Simmons.

The sentence is the third for Simmons in the same case since his 2005 conviction. Previous sentences were thrown out on appeal, based on how much prison time Simmons should have received under federal guidelines and the judge's discretion to deviate from them.

Simmons initially was sentenced to 20 years and later re-sentenced to life in prison.

Former Federal Agent William Ferrell III Pleads Guilty to Theft

A former federal law enforcement agent has pleaded guilty to a theft charge as part of a plea deal.

Forty-1-year-old William Ferrell III, of Gulfport, Miss., entered the plea Monday before Chief U.S. District Judge Ralph E. Tyson.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Baton Rouge says Ferrell was a manager and part owner of Double F Logistics LLC, a company that transported goods across the country as a common carrier. According to authorities, Ferrell was responsible for overseeing the use of fuel and debit cards available to Double F. He was accused of withdrawing about $98,235 from the company's account to pay for expenses not related to the company.

Ferrell also worked for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security but resigned as a result of the investigation. A sentencing date has not been set.

Correctional Officer Everette Brown Arrested for Hitting Inmate with Belt

A Concordia Parish Correctional Facility officer was arrested and charged with aggravated battery and malfeasance in office following a weekend incident in which he allegedly struck an inmate on the buttocks with his belt.

In a news release Monday, Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell said Officer Everette Brown, 44, of Vidalia was arrested and immediately terminated following an investigation of the alleged incident, which happened Saturday.

The inmate, who was in lockdown for disciplinary reasons, reportedly called Brown a derogatory name, to which Brown allegedly responded by opening the cell door, taking off his belt and striking the inmate, the release said.

The release said the inmate was later checked by CPCF medical personnel and found to have only minor bruises.

“It’s not the extent of the injury as much as it’s the fact that an officer responded like this,” Maxwell said. “It just won’t be tolerated. There absolutely will not be any mistreatment of inmates.”

Such a response is against both prison policy and common sense, Maxwell said.

Brown was employed at CPCF for approximately six months, but Maxwell said it would not have mattered if the officer had been employed for six hours or six years, because his alleged response was intolerable.”

“If you cannot handle someone calling you names, then you just don’t belong in this business, and you certainly cannot work for the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office and Correctional Facility,” Maxwell said. “It’s just plain wrong, and you don’t need to work here.”

“That’s why we’ve never had the reputation of this sort of thing, because we will not stand for it.”

Two investigators are assigned to the incident, and the release said the investigation is ongoing.

Former Officer Lawrence Epps Committs Suicide

A former Jackson police officer accused of robbing at least five businesses in 24 hours died Tuesday at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith said.

Lawrence Epps in 2008, after his arrest in connection with the robbery of a Jackson credit union.

Jackson police said Lawrence Epps had been in the hospital since he was arrested last Thursday. Police said Epps took a large dose of pills in an attempt to commit suicide.

Epps died of respiratory failure as a result of a pharmaceutical overdose, the Hinds County coroner said.

At the time of the most recent robberies, Epps was out of jail on a $150,000 bond in connection with the April 2008 robbery of the Mississippi Public Employees Credit Union.

More than 10 years ago, Epps was a burglary detective with the Jackson Police Department. He was fired when he tested positive for cocaine, officials said.

Deputy Mike Chauvin Charged with Having Sex with Minor

A 23-year veteran deputy of the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department was in custody Wednesday, accused of having sex with a minor who often baby-sat his adolescent son at the deputy’s Orange Grove home, Harrison County Sheriff Melvin Brisolara said.

The sheriff said 48-year-old Mike Chauvin, who’s been serving as a school resource deputy at North Woolmarket Elementary School for the past eight years, initially was suspended with pay Monday night as soon as the parents of the victim, now 17, came in to report their suspicions about Chauvin possibly engaging in sex acts with their daughter.

Brisolara said the Sheriff’s Department started conducting an internal investigation, but quickly realized that the case was turning criminal and turned over their findings to the Gulfport Police Department because the crime allegedly occurred in their jurisdiction at Chauvin’s home. Gulfport police made the arrest Wednesday, charging Chauvin with one count of sexual battery.

The investigation is continuing to determine if other charges would be filed, such as an enhanced charge of sexual battery while in a position of trust or authority. The maximum penalty for sexual battery is 20 years in prison.

The sheriff said Chauvin apparently began a sexual relationship with the girl sometime after she started baby-sitting for him in the past two years. “She was younger (than 17) when this happened,” Brisolara said.

On Wednesday, Harrison County sheriff’s investigators were continuing to work with Gulfport investigators to determine if additional charges will follow.

Brisolara said he hadn’t spoken to Chauvin since the investigation started, adding “I have no intention of talking to him.”

Brisolara was working at the Sheriff’s Department when Chauvin, whom he described as a quiet man, joined the force, first serving as a reserve officer before going full-time and working over the years in patrols and community relations before taking over as a school resource officer. Brisolara said the complaint this week was the first the Sheriff’s Department has received against him during his tenure.

Since Brisolara started serving his first term in office, he said he’s had to get rid of other sheriff’s deputies for violating departmental policies and procedures, and “this is the first criminal case I’ve worked (involving a deputy) since I’ve been in office.”

The sheriff said Chauvin was terminated Wednesday. After his arrest, he was taken to the Harrison County jail, where Brisolara said Chauvin was being placed in isolation for safety reasons.

As for the investigation that led to the arrest of one of Brisolara’s own deputies, he said he had no regrets.

Officer Jevon Adkins Sprays House with Bullets

An off-duty police officer with a rural Mississippi town opens fire on a home in Hardeman County early Sunday morning.

Investigators say Officer Jevon Adkins was drunk when he sprayed a house on Mecklinburg Drive with bullets, thinking his girlfriend was inside.

But it wasn't even his girlfriend's house. It belongs to an older couple, who was home at the time, asleep in a back bedroom.

The homeowner didn't want to be identified. She tells us one bullet hit the ceiling of their carport, another lodged next to the garage door. A third flew through a living room window and landed inside their TV.

Hardeman County Deputies say the man standing in her yard firing his .40 calibur weapon was an off-duty Byhalia Police Officer.

"I think it's awful," said Bolivar resident Sandra Brown.

She was stunned to find out Adkins' intended target was his girlfriend's home next door and that he'd aimed his gun at the wrong house.

"He could've killed somebody," she said.

The report states Adkins fired his weapon at least 7 times. The victim told deputies while shooting, he was calling out for someone named "Lela."

No one answered when we knocked at that house.

But according to the report, the address was somewhat familiar to dispatchers. Shortly after arriving on the scene deputies were on the phone with the Byhalia Police Department, asking about Officer Adkins whereabouts.

When they discovered it was his day off, they immediately put out an alert on him and his silver Toyota. But it turns out they didn't need to.

A couple of hours after the incident, Adkins he returned to the scene of the crime. We're told he was intoxicated. Deputies cuffed him, ending what could've been a deadly situation.

He's locked up at the Hardeman County jail, charged with Aggravated Assault.

Former Officer Mark Anderson Accused of Stealing Patrol Car

From former acting police chief to evading arrest, a once respected McComb lawman found himself behind bars Wednesday.

The ex officer is accused of stealing a patrol car.

Nearly three weeks after abruptly retiring from the McComb Police Department, former acting chief and former Lt. Mark Anderson reported to the police station at 5:30 wednesday morning.

Authorities say he convinced an employee to let him inside the building.

"He signed up on the duty roster and reported to work and got in the patrol car and was patrolling the streets," said Chief Gregory Martin.

Martin said Anderson, who he describes as a good officer, drove away in unit 191.

He was in full uniform with his firearm and was reportedly seen at a funeral and cruising the city for 12 hours defying orders.

"He did not report to me at any time during this day. A supervisor on shift made contact with him earlier and he was instructed to return. He failed to return the vehicle," said the chief.

Investigators said they do not know why the 44 year old officer exhibited such strange behavior.

He had served with the department for 21 and a half years.

An article about Anderson appeared in tuesday's Enterprise Journal.

He had previously been at odds with McComb's city leaders filing complaints against them.

According to the chief, Anderson may have been under stress and because he was armed they wanted to work with him to get him to return the vehicle.

"I didn't issue an order at that time to make an arrest on sight, but I wanted the officer to be aware that he was in the patrol car without authorization," the chief added.

As the end of the shift approached Pike county deputies took Anderson in custody.

He was charged with unauthorized use of a government vehicle and impersonating an officer.

Both are misdemeanor charges.

For his safety Anderson was transported from the Pike County Jail to the Lincoln County facility.

He posted bond Wednesday evening and has been released from the Lincoln County jail.
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http://www.wlbt.com/Global/story.asp?S=11146149

Officer Michael Wilson Arrested on Drug Charges

A Holly Springs, Mississippi police officer faces drug charges tonight. He's accused of selling drugs to an undercover narcotics officer.

The officer was arrested last week after being indicted by a grand jury. The Holly Springs Police Chief who says he was in shock when Sheriff's deputies showed up at his office to arrest one of his own.

Holly Springs Police Officer Michael Wilson was arrested on the job and in uniform at the Holly Springs Police Department last Tuesday.

Chief Robert Pearson says, "That is not only surprising, that hurts."

Wilson was indicted by a grand jury earlier this month. According to the indictment, the officer sold hydrocodone, to an undercover Marshall County narcotics officer in February.

Police Chief Robert Pearson, says Marshall County deputies arrested Wilson in his office.

Pearson says, "I summonsed him into my office, relieved him of his side arm and relieved him of duty and suspended him. At that time officers with the sheriff office took him into custody."

Wilson was booked into the Marshall County Jail on one count of selling a controlled substance. The police chief says the drugs Wilson allegedly sold, did not come from the police department.

Pearson says, "We always hate to see police officers get involved in that type of illegal activity it hurts the department and everyone else here."

Wilson was hired by the previous police chief and had been with the police department just 4 years. Chief Pearson described him as a "decent person", but says he has no sympathy for officers accused of breaking the law.

Pearson says, "What I would like people to know is I and most officers want to root out individuals who commit these illegal acts. That is a priority for me."

If convicted, Wilson faces up to 20 years in prison. The police chief says Wilson has a wife and 2 small children. He's out on bond.

We tried contacting him today but were unable to get in touch with him.
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Photo & Information: http://www.myfoxmemphis.com/dpp/news/mississippi/072809_Officer_Arrested_for_Selling_Drugs

Officer Michael Smith Arrested for Stealing Beer

Vicksburg police have arrested one of their own. Officer Michael Smith, 27, is accused of breaking in to a tour boat and stealing beer from inside.

Deputy Chief Richard O'Bannon says Smith was one of several other people charged with burglarizing the Sweet Olive tour boat, which was docked at Vicksburg, around 5:00 Sunday evening.

Smith has been on the Vicksburg police force for about a year. He was released on $10,000 dollars bond.

Reserve Officer Richard Carr Arrested for Rape

A Columbus reserve police officer was fired Wednesday after he was arrested in Oktibbeha County on statutory rape charges.

Reserve officer Richard Carr, 45, was “relieved of his duties as a police officer” Wednesday after Oktibbeha County officials notified the Columbus Police Department the officer had been arrested on the sex charges.

As of Thursday, police had released no details of the charges, as the investigation was ongoing and was being handled by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation.

As of Thursday afternoon, no bond had been set and Carr remained in the Oktibbeha County Jail awaiting his initial court appearance.

Columbus Police Chief Joseph St. John this morning noted the investigation was turned over to MBI as soon as he was notified of the charges.

“As quickly as we could, he was placed under arrest, and he is terminated immediately,” St. John added. “Even though he was reserves, he’s one of us, and any time we have, not even probable cause, but reasonable suspicion, we turn it over to another agency.

“Really right now, the rest of it is really in (MBI’s) hands.”

Jury Selection Begins for Officer Michael Recio

Jury selection begins Monday in the case of a Jackson police officer who was accused of civil rights violations along with late Mayor Frank Melton.

Michael Recio, the mayor's former bodyguard, and Melton were accused in the 2006 sledgehammer attack on a duplex Melton considered a crack house.

Melton died May 7, just days before the trial was to begin.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Jordan said during a hearing Thursday that he needed to know if the case against Recio wouldn't go forward because 700 potential jurors have been contacted.

Prosecutor Mark Blumberg said plea negotiations came to a "grinding halt" and the government plans to move forward.

Prosecutors moved to dismiss the charges against Melton on Wednesday.

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http://www.wjtv.com/jtv/news/local/article/the_prosecution_federal_case_against_jackson_police_detective_michael_recio/13153/