A number of ongoing cases took next steps this week  in front of Circuit Court Judge Toni Terret.

Kanton McKay pleaded guilty Wednesday in an open plea to grand larceny. McKay has a previous felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance in 2017. Terrett set his sentencing hearing for July 3.

Tayvion Pope’s probation for a prior drug conviction was revoked Wednesday  and he was remanded to the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. In considering his revocation, a Vicksburg Police Department (VPD) investigator testified that Pope was pulled over in May for having dark tint on the windows of his car. Upon searching his vehicle, 70 pounds of marijuana were found in garbage bags in the trunk of his car, as well as additional marijuana in a suitcase in the back seat. Although the substance has not been tested to positively identify it as marijuana, a VPD K-9 unit alerted to the presence of drugs when the bags were discovered. Terrett found there was enough probable cause to revoke Pope’s sentence for his previous conviction.

Antoine Ferguson was recommended for drug court intervention based on new charges of possession of a controlled substance in May. Ferguson has a previous felony conviction along with charges of domestic violence and possession of a weapon by a felon.

Probation for Arthur Andrews was also revoked Wednesday and he was given a new probation term. Andrews has a previous conviction for possession of a controlled substance. He faces new charges of forgery. Andrews testified that he did not know the check he cashed was a forgery, but VPD officials testified he, along with at least two other people, were working together to commit fraud.

A motion to suppress new evidence in the case against Michael Shirey for sexual battery of a child under 14 years of age was heard. Warren County Assistant District Attorney Liem Walker testified the DA’s office received information regarding new allegations and filed to include that evidence for an upcoming trial. The case dates to 2022. Terrett ruled the evidence would be allowed. 

Shirey’s trial for the charge of sexual battery of a child under 14 years of age is set to begin June 23.