Man convicted after cellphone found hidden in buttocks at Warren County Jail

VICKSBURG, Miss.(VDN) — A man was convicted in Warren County after authorities discovered a cellphone hidden in his buttocks during a routine jail search. Fabian Chapman was found guilty Monday following less than 20 minutes of jury deliberations, with all 12 jurors returning a unanimous verdict.

Chapman was arrested in September after being accused of shoplifting from Walmart and was later booked into the Warren County Jail. During a basic intake search, officers discovered Chapman was concealing a cellphone in his buttocks. Investigators said he initially refused to turn around during the search, but he eventually complied and squatted, at which point the phone became visible.

Prosecutors said Chapman has been arrested more than 20 times over the years on felony charges outside Warren County, and he has at least 15 misdemeanor arrests in other jurisdictions. He was convicted as a habitual offender.

Assistant District Attorney Branan Southerland prosecuted the case and said the state will seek a 15-year, day-for-day sentence. Chapman was represented by Penny Lawson. Judge James Chaney will sentence him at a later date.