Law Enforcement Report
Snow Causes Minor Problems In County
By Jack Gurner
Reporter
WATER VALLEY – The light covering of snow over the weekend caused few problems for drivers or police within the city limits.
In the early morning hours Sunday around 2:30, an officer radioed the police dispatcher that he was stopping to help a stranded motorist on the Hwy 7 bypass.
After a few minutes, the officer reported that he was back in service and that the stranded motorist turned out to be “folks sledding down the hill” south of the service station near the intersection with Hwy 315.
Lt. Rick McCuan reported the following law enforcement activity within the Water Valley City limits during the past week:
• Made five arrests for driving under suspension;
• Made an arrest for possession of marijuana;
• Made an arrest for Lafayette County;
• Made an arrest for public drunk;
• Made an arrest for simple assault;
• Took two reports of trespassing;
• Took a report of petty larceny;
• Took a report of petty larceny of gas;
• Took a report of simple assault;
• Took a report of evading arrest;
• Issued 12 traffic citations.
Eight Defendants Admit Guilt On Plea Day
By David Howell
Editor
WATER VALLEY – Eight defendants awaiting trial plead guilty during a plea day held Feb. 10, in Water Valley in front of Circuit Court Judge Jimmy McClure. Two other subjects had there cases non-adjudicated during the plea day.
The eight defendants admitting guilt during the Circuit Court session include:
• Larry D. Williams, who plead guilty to burglary of a building other than a building. Judge McClure sentenced Williams to serve one day in the state penitentiary, but gave him credit for a day already served. Williams also received years probation, including a year of reporting to a probation officer and two years of not reporting. McClure also assessed court costs to Williams. A second, similar count was remanded to the file.
• Timothy Cook was sentenced to five years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections RID program after pleading guilty to burglary of a dwelling. Cook was also assessed court costs and had a second count remanded to the file.
• Xavier Blackmon was sentenced to five years of supervised probation after pleading guilty to a residential burglary. He had a second count remanded to the file and also faces court costs.
• Mathew Hervey was sentenced to three years to serve in the MDOC after pleading guilty to a residential burglary. A second count was remanded to the file. Hervey was also sentenced to an additional 10 years of probation for one count of receiving stolen property. Of the 10 years, Hervey will report to a probation officer for five years, while the second five years will be non-reporting. Hervey was also assessed court fees for both charges.
• Tony Hervey pled guilty to one count of receiving stolen property in excess of $500. He was sentenced to five years in the MDOT RID program and assessed court costs.
• Jacky D. Scott pled guilty to possession of more than 500 grams, but less than one kilogram of marijuana. Her sentencing will be held on June 1 in Panola County.
• Casey Telford pled guilty to one county of sale of cocaine. Telford was sentenced in Tallahatchie County on Feb. 27.
• Donan L. Boswell pled guilty to one count of burglary of a dwelling. He was credited for serving 189 days and given five years probation, non-reporting, and assessed court costs.
Grand Jury Indicts One For Murder
By David Howell
Editor
A Second Judicial District Grand Jury handed down 20 indictments during a Feb. 13 grand jury session, including one for 2008 murder.
Yolanda Hawkins was formally indicted for the Nov. 22 shooting death of Hugh E. Nicholson. Jr. with the grand jury indictment
Other indictments returned in the grand jury session include:
• an indictment for possession of contraband in a correction facility;
• an indictment for possession of two or more dosage units of Hydromorphine by less than 10 dosage units;
• an indictment for taking away a motor vehicle;
• an indictment for felony DUI;
• an indictment for a convicted felon in possession of a firearm;
• two indictments for burglary of a building other than a dwellings
• two indictments for credit card fraud;
• an indictment for felony shoplifting;
• an indictment for assault on a police officer;
• two indictments for sale of marijuana, less than one ounce;
• two indictments for conspiracy;
• an indictment for sale of cocaine;
• an indictment for shooting into an occupied dwelling; and
• an indictment for shooting into an occupied dwelling.
Circuit Clerk Daryl Burney said the jury examined 23 witnesses during the session. The indictments remain sealed until served. The grand jury determines whether there is enough evidence for a trial. Grand juries carry out this duty by examining evidence presented to them by a prosecutor and issuing indictments.
