Has Mike Byrd violated house arrest agreement? Sheriff Britt raises questions in letter to MDOC
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi – Former Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd, serving 6 months of house arrest after pleading guilty to federal and state charges, has engaged in actions that “verged on criminal misconduct and possibly a parole violation,” according to a letter from Sheriff Charles Britt to Mississippi Department of Corrections Commissioner Christopher Epps.
The letter, sent July 9 and obtained by gulflive.com, was copied to District Attorney Tony Lawrence, Jackson County Board of Supervisors President Troy Ross and board attorney Paula Yancey.
Read Britt’s letter by clicking here: britt letter.pdf
Britt outlined phone calls that Byrd has made to sheriff’s department employees and local business professionals trying to “persuade” them to support and endorse a candidate in the upcoming sheriff’s election.
In addition to Britt, six others have qualified for the Nov. 4 special election for sheriff to serve the remaining year of the Byrd’s four-year term – Mike Ezell, Bob Cochran, Scott McIlrath, Jeff Barnes, Bruce Lynd and Sheila Smallman. The qualifying deadline is Sept. 5.
The letter did not specify which candidate that Byrd was trying to enlist support.
Gulflive
7/12/14
