Coffeeville Woman Captured After Four-Day Search
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Ja’Kyah Telford
WATER VALLEY — A Coffeeville woman accused of intentionally striking a pedestrian with a vehicle during a Facebook Live broadcast remained in the Yalobusha County Detention Center Tuesday under a $250,000 bond following her capture after a four-day search.
Ja’Kyah Telford, 18, was taken into custody around 7 p.m. Thursday, July 23, in Coffeeville by deputies with the Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department after investigators from multiple agencies spent four days pursuing leads. She was booked into the Yalobusha County Detention Center on an aggravated assault charge.
“We appreciate the Sheriff’s Department bringing this to an end,” Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum told the Herald. “It was an incident-free arrest.”
Both Mangrum and Yalobusha County Sheriff Jerimaine Gooch said the coordinated search by local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies likely contributed to Telford’s capture.
“Law enforcement had been putting a lot of pressure on her,” Mangrum said. “It was just a matter of time. The longer she stayed out, the worse it was going to get.”
Mangrum also said Telford had previously communicated through an attorney about turning herself in, but that never occurred.
Telford is charged for the July 19 incident in which police allege she intentionally drove into 45-year-old Angel Green on East Court Street in Water Valley. Green suffered an open compound fracture to her leg and other serious injuries and was airlifted to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.
Mangrum said Green has undergone three surgeries, including extensive reconstructive procedures, since the attack. After recently speaking with a family member, he said Green remains in good spirits despite facing a lengthy recovery. She remains hospitalized.
Police allege Telford was broadcasting live on Facebook when the incident occurred. Investigators said the widely circulated video, along with multiple witness statements and physical evidence collected at the scene, forms a significant part of the case.
Mangrum said investigators have obtained search warrants and preservation requests for social media companies to preserve the Facebook Live broadcast and other electronic evidence posted on social media while the investigation continues.
Investigators interviewed numerous witnesses who were present during the incident and continue reviewing physical and electronic evidence. Mangrum said the case remains under investigation, and additional charges could be considered as the judicial process moves forward.
Mangrum also praised the assistance provided by Sheriff Jerimaine Gooch and his deputies throughout the investigation.
“The Yalobusha County Sheriff’s Department has been a strong partner in this case,” Mangrum said.
Mangrum also thanked the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force and other partnering law enforcement agencies for assisting with the search.
According to Mangrum, Sheriff Gooch also provided investigators with information after Telford contacted her boyfriend by telephone while she was evading authorities. Her boyfriend was incarcerated at the Yalobusha County Detention Center at the time of the call.
Mangrum said attorney Will Phillips was appointed to represent Telford during her initial appearance in municipal court. He added that authorities have received information indicating she may later retain private counsel.
Mangrum said the investigation remains active. He also said Telford has had previous contacts with Water Valley police. In April, she was charged with simple assault following a fight at Baker Street Park. He also cited an altercation at the Water Valley Family Dollar store last year involving a store employee. Because Telford was a juvenile at the time, that case was referred to youth court.
