Jail smuggling foiled with camera, patience|[08/13/2008]

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 13, 2008

CRIME * From staff reports

A smuggling operation was discovered and shut down Tuesday at the Warren County Jail, leading to the filing of additional charges against an inmate, Sheriff Martin Pace said.

During a sweep of the facility following daily visitation deputies discovered a small package in the trash can in a public restroom in the administrative area of the jail. The package contained a cell phone, more than an ounce of marijuana and tobacco. Officers left the package in the can and hid a small camera in the room in an attempt to catch someone picking up the package.

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Just after 5 p.m. officers saw inmate Jeffery Dwayne Stamps, 32, 1108 Fayette St., pick up the package, Pace said. Stamps, who was in that part of the jail because he was a trusty, or work inmate, who did janitorial work around the facility, was detained before being returned to his cell.

Stamps has been in prison since October for a probation violation. He now will be charged with possession with intent to distribute and has been removed from the trusty program.

The identity of the person who took the package to the jail had not been determined, Pace said.

Air conditioner missing from home on MacArthur

A central air system valued at $4,400 was reported stolen from the 1800 block of MacArthur Drive Tuesday at 1:48 p.m. by the owner of the vacant home, Vicksburg Police crime analyst Suzan Ebeling said.

Gambler sees luck turn sour in robbery

A casino patron told police he was robbed at gunpoint in the DiamondJacks parking lot at 1:39 this morning while leaving after winning a large sum of money, Vicksburg Police crime analyst Suzan Ebeling said.

He said he was approached by a black man, who was about 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, who demanded his cash.

Video surveillance of the suspect is expected to lead to his arrest, Ebeling said.

The exact amount of cash stolen was not available.

Trailers, car missing in Warren County thefts

Trailers and an automobile were among the items reported stolen in Warren County since Tuesday, said Warren County Jail records:

A 16-by-5-foot trailer valued at $925 and an A-Frame valued at $300 were reported stolen at 6:55 p.m. from Hinds Community College, 755 Mississippi 27.

A black 1995 Pontiac Grand AM with Mississippi tag WAA661 was reported stolen at 7:25 p.m. from the Clay Street Texaco. The owner left it in a side parking lot following mechanical failure and, upon returning to retrieve it five days later, found it was gone.

A 12-foot aluminum boat and two trailers, value unknown, were reported stolen at 8:12 this morning in the 2500 block of Culkin Road.

DUI CONVICTIONS

Eight found guilty

Eight convictions of driving under the influence were recorded in Warren County during the week that ended Tuesday:

Convicted of DUI first offense in Vicksburg Municipal Court and charged $661 were:

Eileen Parker, 43, 3314 Common Circle.

Terrance Jackson, 26, 250 Ironwood Drive.

Derrick Jackson, 41, 5261 Antique Road, Hope Mills, N.C.

Convicted of DUI second offense in Vicksburg Municipal Court and charged $961 was James Grissom, 34, 2116 Baker St.

Convicted of DUI second offense in Vicksburg Municipal Court and charged $971 was Adam Scott, 37, 121 Starlight Drive.

Convicted of DUI first offense in Warren County Justice Court were:

Leon Blackmore Jr., 43, 208 Leland Drive, who was charged $661.50.

Eugene Henyard, 25, 120 Pemberton St., who was charged $631.50.

Keith Milligan, 39, 1825 15th Ave. N., Birmingham, Ala., who was charged $641.50.