Crime
Former Mississippi sheriff and deputy indicted on bribery charges
Listen to this articleA federal grand jury has indicted a former Mississippi sheriff and deputy on bribery charges.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, former sheriff of Noxubee County, Terry Grassaree, and former deputy, Vance Phillips, are accused of receiving bribes.
Court documents show each has been charged with “using facilities in interstate commerce, namely, the internet and a cellular phone, for the purpose of committing the offense of bribery.”
Documents also state that Grassaree has an additional charge of lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Each had an initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge F. Keith Ball of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. The case is set to go to trial on Jan. 9, 2023.
If convicted, Grassaree faces up to 10 years in prison. Phillips could face up to five years in prison.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Purdie is prosecuting the case.
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