Chief Reports Two Felony DUI Arrests
WATER VALLEY – Two men face felony DUI charges and two others were arrested for DUI by the Water Valley Police Department during activity reported by Chief Jason Mangrum during the last week. Mangrum reported Zachary Taylor, age 32, of Water Valley and Jessie Booker, age 58, of Memphis were each charged with felony DUIs in unrelated incidents.
Taylor was arrested Monday, March 28, after officers initiated a traffic stop for speeding.
“During the traffic stop officers determined that he was under the influence of alcohol,” the chief reported. During the investigation officers learned that he had at least three prior DUI convictions, triggering a felony DUI charge. Taylor was arrested and booked in the Yalobusha County Detention Center (YCDC).
Jessie Booker, age 58, of Memphis was stopped by city officers for running a stop sign on Sunday, March 27. Officers determined Booker was under the influence of alcohol and also had multiple prior DUI convictions. The suspect was charged with felony DUI and booked in YCDC.
Mangrum reported the two misdemeanor DUI arrests stemmed from safety checkpoints over the weekend. Edward Sims, age 50, of Water Valley was charged with DUI on Saturday, March 26. Brandon Lee Dean, age 31, of Memphis was also charged with DUI on Friday, March 25. Both men were booked in YCDC.
The chief also reported a pursuit spanned multiple counties after officers responded to a disturbance call in the parking lot at YCDC on Sunday, March 28. Detrick Shaw, age 45, of Panola County was charged with felony fleeing after he was apprehended at the North Batesville exit on I-55.
Mangrum explained that officers arrived at YCDC, but the vehicle was gone. Officers then encountered the vehicle on Frostland Drive.
“Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop for no headlights, but the vehicle refused to stop,” the chief reported. The vehicle continued north on Hwy. 7 and turned left on Hwy. 315. The pursuit continued into Lafayette County and Panola County. Officers were finally able to get Shaw stopped at the interstate exit. Shaw was booked in the Panola County jail. The Water Valley Police Department has placed a hold on Shaw, which means he will be brought back to Water Valley to face charges.
Mangrum expressed gratitude to multiple agencies assisting including the Yalobusha, Panola and Lafayette County sheriff’s departments, the Batesville Police Department and the Mississippi Highway Patrol. He also said Shaw is facing charges by the Panola County Sheriff’s Department and Batesville Police Department stemming from the pursuit.
