Four Charged In Teen’s Murder

Four Coffeeville residents have been arrested and charged with first degree murder in the March 5 death of Fredarrious Wilson, a West Memphis, Ark. teenager who was gunned down in the Holly Springs National Forest in Yalobusha County.

Jay Hale, District Attorney for the 17th Circuit Court District, reported that the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department arrested Alicia Jackson, age 22, Brandon Jackson, age 23, Bralin Jackson, age 23, and Devin Smith, age 27, following an exhaustive investigation in Arkansas and Mississippi.Hale said that multiple agencies assisted the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department in the investigation including the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the West Memphis Police Department. He also said the investigation is ongoing.

“Sheriff Gooch and his deputies worked extremely hard and put long hours into this case. I can’t say enough about their work on this case,” Hale told the Herald.  “The West Memphis Police Department was also a huge help.”

Wilson’s body was found by a U.S. Forest Service employee in a remote area in the Holly Springs National Forest between Coffeeville and Oakland on March 8.  A high school senior, he had been reported missing by his family on March 5.

Hale reported that evidence indicates that Wilson was shot multiple times. He also said that it appears this was not a random crime.

“It appears that the victim knew at least one of the suspects,” Hale said.

Three of the suspects were taken into custody during the early morning hours Wednesday. The fourth was arrested Wednesday afternoon. All four are currently in custody and bond was set at one million dollars each.