A FORMER CLARKSDALE POLICE OFFICER WILL SOON BE SERVING TIME IN A FEDERAL
PRISON

Former Sgt. James Tompkins was sentenced Thursday in Aberdeen to 10 months
in prison on one count of extortion. The sentence was handed down by U.S.
District Chief Judge Glen H. Davidson of the Northern District of Mississippi.

"I apologize for my actions," Tompkins said during his sentencing hearing.
"I realize my mistake dishonored my family, my community and my profession."

Tompkins stood stoically as Davidson handed down the sentence, which also
includes a $1,000 fine and three years of supervised release after Tompkins
serves his sentence.

The 10-month sentence was the maximum allowed for the charge to which
Tompkins pleaded guilty in June. Before the sentence was handed down,
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Norman unsuccessfully argued for an "upward
departure," which would allow the judge to impose a stiffer sentence if it
were found that "the defendant's conduct severely interferes with
government function."

"This is a despicable and unspeakable crime for a man who wears a badge and
gun," Norman said. He cited the crime problem in Clarksdale and how many
citizens have lost faith in police officers.

"Many citizens have been victimized by law enforcement," Norman said.

Tompkins was ordered to voluntarily report on Sept. 30 to an institution
that will be determined by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. Until then, he
remains free under the terms of his original bond. According to court
records, Tompkins conducted a traffic stop of a Clarksdale woman on Jan. 11.

He told her the police had videotapes of her committing a drug crime.
Tompkins then told her he could have the tapes destroyed for between $3,000
and $4,000.

The woman reported the incident to Police Chief Steve Bingham on Jan. 14,
and, while she was meeting with Bingham, Tompkins called her on her cell
phone, demanding money. Bingham listened in on the conversation and
recognized Tompkins' voice. Bingham notified Mississippi Highway Patrol
investigators, and the woman was provided with a tape recorder and $1,000
in marked bills. She met with Tompkins and gave him the money.

He told her the money was well spent; he named some interstate cocaine
traffickers who had avoided prosecution with similar payments.

Immediately after the meeting, Tompkins was arrested and the $1,000
recovered. He confessed to extorting the money for his own use, authorities
said.

After the sentencing hearing, Tompkins refused to comment and instead had
his attorney, Anthony Farese of Ashland, speak on his behalf.

"We're disappointed but not surprised," Farese said of the sentence. "He
knew he had to be punished for his wrongdoing." He called Tompkins "a good
man who made a mistake and accepted responsibility for that mistake."

When asked what Tompkins had to say to the people of Clarksdale, Farese
said, "He expressed his remorse when he entered his plea and again in court
today.

"He apologized to the department, Clarksdale, Coahoma County and, more
importantly, his family."

"At this time, I can't quote on it," Bingham said of the sentencing.