No One Is Safe In St. Jude Fundraiser

By Editor | October 18, 2023 |

Yalobusha County Sheriff Jerimaine Gooch slapped the cuffs on Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum as part of the Arrest the Cure fundraiser. The sheriff reported that Mangrum was having too much fun “arresting” citizens and it was time for the chief take a turn in the pink cuffs. Mangrum posted bail, a donation to St. Jude.

WATER VALLEY – A fundraiser launched by the Water Valley Police Department for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in October has been a strong success and will continue until October 31. Water Valley Police Chief Jason Mangrum and his officers have “arrested” dozens of residents in the city in the shakedown for a good cause that has raised $2,000-plus and counting. Mangrum explained that each person “arrested” can post bond, a donation to the hospital, and pick the next suspect.

“We always explain that you don’t have to make a donation, that is only if you want to get in on the fun,” Mangrum explained. “So far, everyone has jumped at the opportunity.”

Some “arrests” have originated from tips, as people have contacted the police department. Mangrum explained that the tipster can make a contribution to St. Jude and put his department on the trail of a family member or friend.

This is deputy Tony Hernandez’s first mug shot.

Elicia Hernandez called from Missouri to make sure her father, Yalobusha County sheriff’s deputy Tony Hernandez, was “arrested.”

“Hope you enjoyed me making sure you got arrested,” she posted under his picture in handcuffs on Facebook.

Another tipster, Debbie Jackson, decided it was time for her boss to get cuffed. Jackson, who works at the Water Valley Police Department, called Sheriff Jerimaine Gooch and told him to arrest the chief. The funny thing is Mangrum was around the corner and overheard the conversation.

“I called the sheriff and told him to get it done, I knew it was my turn,” Mangrum added.

The arrests are posted on the Herald’s Facebook page, and many include fun, trumped up charges. Kentrell Walker was cuffed for speeding in his wheel chair at the football game. Walker and arresting officer Chris Pullen were sporting big smiles, a testament to having fun with the fundraiser. Other arrests included Mechanics Bank+BankFirst bankers Cam Tyler and Tyler Hill, who were caught red-handed in the bank’s vault. Officer Brian Willhite “arrested” his father-in-law, Chuck Tatum, creating a family feud just in time for Thanksgiving.

Mangrum also cracked down on the city’s drug dealers with the arrests of Binnie Turnage, Bobby Turnage and Lee Lott. Clay Ashford was arrested on Main Street after officers had been searching for him for several days. Larry Hart was arrested on Main Street and enjoyed getting in on the action. Yalobusha Nursing Home administrator Megan Gordon was set-up by her co-workers, who had a blast when she was cuffed. Joe Black was “arrested” for “cooking the books,” and Billy Childs, Wesley Vanlandingham and Judge Trent Howell all found themselves on the wrong end of the law. Mangrum “arrested” Chancery Clerk Amy McMinn after he spotted her hiding in a courthouse closet.

“No one is safe,” Mangrum told the Herald. “You can run, but you can’t hide.”