DETENTION OFFICER ARRESTED THEN FIRED

Hinds Officer Faces Charge Of Possession Of Marijuana

A Hinds County Detention Center officer has been fired after being
charged with possession of marijuana, officials said Tuesday.

James Jefferson III, 23, of 1385 Weeks St., was arrested Saturday,
said Sheriff Malcolm McMillin in a news release. Jefferson, who had
been employed at the detention center since Nov. 2003, was fired the
same day of his arrest, McMillin said.

"Our narcotics investigators were tipped that this was going on at the
jail," McMillin said. "He had it in his car." Jefferson was arrested
at the detention center without incident, McMillin said. Hinds County
Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Pickett would not confirm whether
Jefferson was selling marijuana at the jail.

Jefferson couldn't be reached Tuesday for comment.

Jefferson bonded out the same day, Pickett said. Jail officials said
Tuesday Jefferson was released on his own recognizance.

"It was a couple ounces, a misdemeanor," Pickett said. "We consider
this an egregious act that's embarrassing from the perspective of a
fellow law enforcement officer."

Pickett also would not discuss whether Jefferson had been reprimanded
or had previous disciplinary action while he was an officer.

"We won't comment on that from a personnel standpoint," Pickett said.