FLORIDA MAN WANTED AFTER BEING CONVICTED OF BREAKING INTO ELEVEN CARS AT MADISON’S BURN BOOTCAMP

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. “Bubba” Bramlett announced today that Victor Andrew Ogiste, 29, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was convicted by a Madison County Circuit Court jury on Tuesday September 16, 2025 of eleven counts of auto burglary and one count of conspiracy after a two day trial. He is a non-violent habitual offender and faces up to 82 years without the possibility of parole for his crimes.

On October 13, 2023, officers with the Madison Police Department were notified that multiple cars located in the parking lot of Burn Bootcamp had been burglarized. All the victims had been attending the 5:00 a.m. workout class. Their car windows had been smashed, and various items were stolen including purses, wallets, bank cards and checkbooks. Officers immediately began reviewing surveillance videos and noticed a 2022 Toyota Rav4 enter the parking lot shortly before 5:00 a.m. An individual exited that car after the workout class began and, within a span of twenty minutes, broke into eleven vehicles, stole various items out of each car, returned to the passenger side and was driven away. Officers were able to obtain the tag number of the vehicle and uploaded it into their license plate reader system.

MPD was also made aware that on October 11, 2023 a Burn Bootcamp in Oxford, Mississippi had a similar occurrence where multiple cars were broken into during its 5:00 a.m. class using the smash-and-grab method used in Madison. The investigation led officers to a rented Airbnb in Hattiesburg. With the assistance of the Forrest County Sheriff's Office, investigators executed a search warrant on the house and vehicles in Hattiesburg. They located multiple items from both the Madison and Oxford burglaries including victims’ credit cards, driver licenses and other personal belongings.

Officers also discovered the suspected burglars were now driving a Chrysler 300 and were able to obtain that new tag number. Officers in Trussville, Alabama located the vehicle and made a traffic stop. Victor Ogiste, the driver, and two other individuals were located inside the car along with multiple cell phones. Investigators with MPD did forensic examinations of the cell phones and located one they attributed to Ogiste. They discovered that he had googled the locations of multiple Burn Boot Camps. His map location history also put him as the driver in the parking lot of the Madison Burn Boot Camp at the time of the burglaries. Finally, the case was turned over to the Madison County District Attorney’s Office where their in-house geolocation mapping expert examined the call detail records of the phone. Through the provided data of the various cell towers that the cell phones used, along with various license plate reader hits, and both photographic and GPS evidence found on Ogiste’s phone, the District Attorney’s office was able to prepare a map showing that Ogiste and multiple others had left Ft. Lauderdale several days prior, driven through the through Carolinas, Tennessee, and into Mississippi where they briefly stopped in Oxford. They then traveled to Hattiesburg and stayed overnight. Officers then tracked the suspects’ movements on the morning of the burglary to the parking lot of the Burn Boot Camp and back to Hattiesburg where they stayed briefly before heading towards Tennessee where they were eventually arrested in Alabama.

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “This began as multiple auto burglaries in the early morning hours with zero eye witnesses. If not for the persistence and hard work of the Madison Police Department, it would never have been solved. Using all sorts of investigative tools, MPD was able to follow what was essentially a series of bread crumbs until they were able to identify and gather evidence on a suspect. Thankfully, multiple law enforcement agencies from across the region were willing to work with MPD to help gather, not only additional evidence, but eventually the suspect and his cell phone which provided a treasure trove of data that allowed my office to map the geolocation data needed to solidify the case against Mr. Ogiste. I have no doubt that the suspects only reason for being in Mississippi, or any of the previous locations they had been in, was to break into cars. These men were professional thieves and without the work of MPD, they would probably still be out there smashing windows and stealing people’s belongings. We are lucky to live in a county where the police take these matters seriously and tirelessly attempt to solve crimes no matter how little they have to go on in the beginning.”

Ogiste had been scheduled for trial during a previous court appearance. He later informed his attorney he would not be returning for trial, and he in fact did not appear for his trial. He was tried in absentia, meaning he was not present for trial, but with proper legal representation. The Court found that Ogiste had knowingly and voluntarily absented himself and issued a bench warrant. His whereabouts are currently unknown. Once located, Ogiste will be brought back to Madison County Circuit Court to be sentenced: he faces a possible 82 years without the possibility of parole. His co-defendant also failed to appear in court, and warrants are out for his Arrest.

Defendant:

Name: VICTOR OGISTE

DOB: 12/10/1995

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Habitual Offender Sentenced to 10 years for Felony Evasion

Rankin County – Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Justin Andre Sterling, 31, of Jackson, Mississippi, has been convicted and sentenced to serve ten (10) years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for Felony Evasion as a Habitual Offender. As a habitual offender, Sterling must serve the entire sentence day-for-day without the possibility of early release or parole. 

On November 24, 2024, the Richland Police Department received information that a vehicle involved in an armed carjacking had entered the city limits on Highway 49 South. A Richland police officer quickly located the SUV, notified dispatch, and maintained surveillance until additional officers could assist in safely stopping the vehicle. 

When officers attempted a traffic stop by activating their blue lights and sirens, the driver, Justin Sterling, refused to comply. Sterling fled at high speed, driving recklessly, and struck another motorist’s vehicle before making a U-turn and continuing to evade police on Highway 49 North. Officers ultimately brought the chase to a safe end and arrested Sterling without further harm to the public or additional property damage. 

“This conviction sends a clear message: those who repeatedly break the law and endanger innocent lives will be held accountable,” said District Attorney Bramlett. “We are grateful no one was seriously injured in this incident. Thanks to the swift and professional actions of the Richland Police Department, a dangerous habitual offender was stopped, and our community is safer as a result.” 

Defendant: 

Name: Sterling, Justin Andre 

Date of Birth: 09/02/1994 

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JACKSON MAN SENTENCED TO FIFTEEN YEARS FOR FALSELY CLAIMING DRUGS

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. “Bubba” Bramlett announced today that Demarques Smith, 30, of Jackson, pled guilty to hindering prosecution in Madison Circuit Court and was sentenced yesterday to serve 15 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. 

On October 29, 2023, officers with the Ridgeland Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a tint violation and smelled marijuana coming from the car. After a short search of the vehicle, the officer located various drugs, cash, and a gun in the car. The officers arrested both the driver, Damien Mason and his passenger. Two days later, Demarques Smith came to RPD and attempted to claim the drugs, money and gun. A detective from RPD got a subpoena and obtained Mason’s jail calls. Telephone conversations between Smith and Mason during those calls revealed an agreement between the two for Smith to falsely claim the drugs since Smith would merely be a first offender, whereas Mason would a habitual offender, if convicted. 

Smith pled guilty to one count of hindering prosecution and was sentenced to fifteen years in custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Mason also elected to plead guilty, to possession of controlled substance and felon in possession of a firearm, as a non-violent habitual offender, and was sentenced to thirteen years to serve without the possibility of parole. 

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “Mr. Smith decided to help his friend out by making false statements to the police. Instead of getting what he thought would be probation or a deferred sentence, he was sentenced to serve fifteen years in prison for hindering the prosecution of this case.” 

Defendant: 

Name: DEMARQUES L. SMITH ,JR 

DOB: 11/07/1994 

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44-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Sexual Battery and Gratification of Lust of Three Children

Rankin County – Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Sonny Jacob Lee, 44, pled guilty to Sexual Battery and Gratification of Lust. Lee was sentenced to forty (40) years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, with the first twenty-five (25) of those years to be served without the possibility of early release or parole. Upon his release, Lee will be placed on supervised probation for an additional five years and must register as a sex offender. Lee was further ordered to have no contact with the victims and no unsupervised visitation with any child under the age of 18 unless otherwise ordered by a Chancellor or Youth Court. 

On January 14, 2025, the Pearl Police Department responded to a call regarding a child sexual assault victim. The Pearl Police Department conducted an in-depth investigation, which included a forensic interview of the child by the Parker Children’s Advocacy Center in Pearl. This forensic interview process allows trained specialists to gather information from child victims in a manner that minimizes additional trauma. During the interview, the child disclosed details of the sexual abuse by Lee. 

Further investigation revealed Lee had sexually abused two other children. The Parker Children’s Advocacy Center conducted forensic interviews with these children as well, and the children disclosed details of the abuse. The UMMC Children’s Safe Center also performed medical examinations of the children. 

"These three children showed true bravery in standing up to their abuser," stated District Attorney Bramlett. "Our office fights to bring all child predators to justice. The continued collaborative effort of the Pearl Police Department, Mississippi Children's Advocacy Center, and the UMMC Children's Safe Center is to be commended because their hard work put this child predator behind bars." 

Defendant: 

Name: Lee, Sonny Jacob 

Date of Birth: 5/12/1981 

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LIFE SENTENCE FOR MAN CONVICTED OF TWO RECENT MURDERS

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. Bramlett, announced today that Matthew Brian Kidd pled guilty to Murder and Capital Murder in his connection to the deaths of William “Billy” Morris and Christian Storey. He was arraigned on these charges and then pled guilty after the reading of his indictments in court. He was sentenced by Judge Dewey Arthur to a life sentence for each crime to run concurrently.  

On August 27, 2025, the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department received a call about a deceased male. When they arrived at the scene, they learned that someone had kicked in the front door at Billy Morris’s home and shot him multiple times. 

On August 29, 2025, the Brandon Police Department received a call about a deceased male. When they arrived at the scene, they learned that someone had kicked in the front door at Christian Storey’s home, shot him multiple times and stole property belonging to Mr. Storey.

Both the Rankin County Sherriff’s Department and the Brandon Police Department investigated their crimes and were able to determine that Mr. Kidd was the suspect in both crimes. They were able to locate him at a hotel in Brandon, Mississippi where he was taken into custody. He was interviewed by both agencies and confessed to shooting both Morris and Storey. 

Today Kidd was set to be arraigned for both Capital Murder and Murder. The arraignment took place and then he and his attorney announced in a crowded courtroom filled with law enforcement officers and the family members of both victims that he wished to plead guilty. The Court heard from loved ones for both victims before accepting the State’s recommendation and sentencing Kidd to life without the possibility of parole.  

District Attorney Bubba Bramlett stated, “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families and loved ones of William “Billy” Morris and Christian Storey.  We are grateful for their cooperation, as well as the hard work of our law enforcement agencies, in bringing about today’s judgment and sentence on this defendant.  The Defendant will serve the remainder of his life in prison, with no eligibility for parole.” 

Defendant: 

Name: Matthew Brian Kidd  

Date of Birth: 08/16/1990

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CANTON TEEN GETS THE TENNIS SHOES…AND FIFTEEN YEARS TO SERVE

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced today that Shunquez Harris, 17, of Canton, pled guilty to strong arm robbery in Madison County Circuit Court and was sentenced yesterday to the maximum of 15 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. 

On October 11, 2024, the Canton Police Department received a call from a concerned mother and her son, who is also seventeen. The mother stated that her son had been robbed of his shoes while in a gas station in Canton. Officers were able to obtain surveillance of the suspect entering the store behind the victim, flashing a handgun at the victim, and the victim taking off his shoes and handing them to the suspect. Officers recognized Harris in the video from previous dealings with him. The victim was able to confirm Harris was the person who robbed him of his shoes. Harris would later admit to the robbery to investigators with the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and Canton Police Department. 

The Defendant elected to proceed to trial but ultimately changed his mind and entered a guilty plea after voir dire. The State dismissed another armed robbery indictment against Harris as part of the plea as that victim had moved out of state. 

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “Please let this case put all young people on notice in Madison and Rankin counties: I do not care how old you are. If you commit crimes with a firearm in my district, I have original jurisdiction over your case. You will be indicted as an adult, and you will face prison time. This teenager lost the next 15 years of his life over a pair of tennis shoes. I will not stand for senseless acts of violence against the citizens of Madison and Rankin counties.” 

Defendant: 

Name: SHUNQUEZ HARRIS 

DOB: 10/03/2007 

Armed and Dangerous Fugitive Wanted: KYLE WAYNE DENNIS Convicted in Absentia for Selling Meth Near School

Rankin, MS - Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. “Bubba” Bramlett announced today that Kyle Wayne Dennis is wanted for failure to appear at his trial. Dennis was convicted in his absence on August 4, 2025, for the sale of methamphetamine of more than ten (10) grams but less than thirty (30) grams within 1500 feet of Pearl Upper Elementary School that occurred on August 30, 2023. 

Dennis was convicted of Murder in Hinds County in 1996 and was sentenced to life. He served approximately ten (10) years, after which he was released from prison and placed on parole.  On August 30, 2023, the Pearl Police Department conducted an undercover narcotics investigation into illegal narcotics activity in Pearl. Through this investigation, Dennis was observed selling approximately fourteen (14) grams of methamphetamine.  This drug sale occurred at the Southern Garden Estates in Pearl, which is located between the Pearl Upper Elementary School and the Pearl Lower Elementary School.  Dennis’ home was within 1500 feet of the Pearl Upper Elementary School. 

Dennis’ trial was set for August 4, 2025, at the Rankin County Circuit Courthouse in Brandon.  Dennis did not appear for his trial.  The trial was conducted despite his absence. A Rankin County Jury convicted Dennis for the sale of methamphetamine in an amount of more than ten (10) grams but less than thirty (30) grams within 1500 feet of Pearl Upper Elementary School.  The judge sentenced Dennis to sixty years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. 

A bench warrant was also issued for the arrest of Dennis for his failure to appear at trial.  Dennis is described as a 58-year-old who weighs about 200lbs and is around  5’9” tall.  Dennis was last seen on a black Harley-Davidson motorcycle.  He should be considered armed and dangerous. 

District Attorney Bramlett said, “Kyle Wayne Dennis is a convicted murderer and now a convicted drug dealer who chose to sell methamphetamine near a school, just steps from where our children learn and play. His decision to flee rather than face justice shows exactly the kind of danger he poses to our community.  Law enforcement will not stop until he is found, arrested, and brought to serve the sixty-year sentence handed down by the people of Rankin County.”

If you know Dennis’ whereabouts, please contact Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477). Anyone with information that leads to an arrest could be eligible for up to a $2,500 reward.

Defendant:

Name:                         Kyle Wayne Dennis
Date of Birth:              4/26/1967

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Felon Sentenced to Ten Years Without Parole for Possession of a Firearm

Rankin County, Mississippi — Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Deshayne Harmon Collier (also known as Deshaye Herman Collier and Deshaye Guyton), a 49-year-old convicted felon from Jackson, was sentenced to ten (10) years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Collier was sentenced as a habitual offender, making him ineligible for parole, probation, or early release. 

The charges stem from a May 12, 2024, incident in Pearl, where officers with the Pearl Police Department responded to a 911 call regarding a man who was heavily intoxicated inside the Circle K gas station on South Pearson Road. Upon arrival in the area, officers observed the 6-foot-8-inch Collier walking erratically in and out of traffic, yelling, and exhibiting signs of extreme intoxication. 

When officers made contact with Collier, they immediately detected the odor of alcohol on his breath. A pat-down search revealed that Collier was carrying a Glock 9mm handgun in his waistband. Collier was taken into custody for Public Intoxication and booked into the Pearl Police Department, where he resisted officers during booking and had to be physically restrained. He was later charged with Resisting Arrest. After Collier was in custody, Officers learned that Collier had multiple prior felony convictions, including two separate convictions for Aggravated Assault in 2006 and 2015 in Hinds County. 

A Rankin County Grand Jury indicted Collier on January 23, 2025, for Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon as a Habitual Offender. He entered a guilty plea in the Rankin County Circuit Court on July 15, 2025, and was sentenced to the maximum sentence of ten (10) years without eligibility for parole. 

“This defendant is a repeat violent criminal who has no regard for the law, no respect for authority, and no concern for the safety of those around him,” said District Attorney Bubba Bramlett. “He was armed, intoxicated, and combative. It is only because of the swift action of law enforcement that this did not end in tragedy. My office will continue to pursue long prison sentences for offenders like Collier who endanger the public and persist in their criminal behavior.” 

DEFENDANT: 

Name: Deshayne Harmon Collier 

a/k/a Deshaye Herman Collier 

a/k/a Deshaye Guyton 

Date of Birth: 8/3/1976 

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26-Year-Old Sentenced to 45-Years in prison for Sexual Abuse of Child

Rankin County, MS - Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that James Matthew Gardner, 26, was sentenced to forty-five (45) years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for sexual abuse of a child. 

In April 2025, a Rankin County jury found Gardner guilty of Statutory Rape and Gratification of Lust of a child. Gardner was sentenced to the maximum on each charge, with those sentences to be served consecutively. Gardner will serve every day of the 45 years in prison, without the possibly of parole or early release. 

On September 19, 2023, the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department received a call to a home regarding a juvenile sexual assault victim. It was reported that the abuse took place at the victim’s residence. The victim disclosed that Gardner was living at the home during the years of sexual abuse. 

The victim and a sibling were interviewed by the Parker’s Children’s Advocacy Center in Pearl, Mississippi. The victim received a medical exam at the Children’s Safe Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Law enforcement interviewed the defendant and others, executed search warrants for electronics, the defendant's home, and the defendant’s vehicle, and took photographs. Additionally, law enforcement retrieved physical evidence from the house that the victim shared with the defendant. The physical evidence was sent to the Mississippi Forensics Lab for processing and testing. 

The jury heard from the victim, the victim’s sibling, two investigators with the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, a nurse practitioner from the Children’s Safe Center who examined the victim, and two forensic scientists with the Mississippi Forensics Lab. Additionally, the defendant testified on his own behalf. 

“The maximum possible sentence is the only appropriate sentence for this pedophile,” stated District Attorney Bubba Bramlett. “We commend the victim and her sibling for their courage in speaking up and taking a stand against this predator. We are also grateful for the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, the Parker Children’s Advocacy Center, the Children’s Safe Center, and the Mississippi Forensics Lab for working together to protect children in our community.” 

Defendant: 

Name: James Matthew Gardner 

Date of Birth: 01/14/1999 

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JACKSON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SALE AND TRAFFICKING OF FENTANYL IN MADISON COUNTY

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced today that Tony Levon Hill, 40, of Jackson pled guilty to one count of sale and one count of trafficking of fentanyl in Madison County Circuit Court. He was sentenced to ten years without the possibility of parole or early release.

In August of 2023, narcotics officers from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Madison Police Department, and Ridgeland Police Department were working together as part of a joint fentanyl task force targeting individuals selling fentanyl in Madison County. Working with a confidential informant, they were able to make several purchases of fentanyl pills from Hill while he was at work at a local nursing home in Madison County. The sales all took place on the grounds of the nursing home while he was working. Then, on September 7, 2023, officers made a traffic stop in Ridgeland wherein Hill was the driver. He was found to be in possession of sixty fentanyl pills which is a trafficking amount of the drug.

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “I want to commend the cooperative efforts of the various law enforcement agencies who worked together to help stop the flood of fentanyl pills into Madison and Rankin counties. These officers intervened so that these drugs being sold by Mr. Hill would not ultimately end up in the hands of our citizens. This drug continues to be deadly, and people continue to seek it out knowing of its dangers. If you are caught selling fentanyl, or any drugs in Madison or Rankin Counties, know you will go to prison. If you have a loved one struggling with drug addiction, especially with fentanyl, please urge them to get help before it is too late.”

Defendant:

Name: TONY LEVON HILL

DOB: 02/20/1985

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WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO POISONING ELDERLY MAN WITH FENTANYL

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced today that Dixie Cheyenne White, 31, of Florence, pled guilty to aggravated assault as a habitual offender and was sentenced to serve twenty years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole.

On June 14, 2023, the Ridgeland Police Department received a call regarding an elderly man who was suffering from a drug overdose. The man claimed he had been poisoned by a woman named Dixie and that she had stolen his car. He stated that he had met Dixie at the Food Depot in Jackson and that she had offered to come back to his house to work on his truck with him.

When he was released from the hospital, investigators met with him again and discovered that his iPhone, two handguns, and two credit cards were also missing. Using tag readers throughout the area, investigators were able to locate the stolen vehicle back at the Food Depot with several people inside, including Dixie White. White matched the suspect in the surveillance video obtained from the Food Depot on the date the elderly man stated he had been poisoned.

White was taken into custody and interviewed regarding her knowledge of the stolen car. She confessed to investigators that she had met the elderly man and convinced him she could work on his truck. She stated that later that night, she had poured some fentanyl into a soda so he would go to sleep. When he was asleep, she stole his guns, credit cards, and car.

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “It is a miracle the 84-year-old victim in this case survived unknowingly ingesting fentanyl. The defendant could have easily killed this elderly man in her attempt to knock him out so she could rob him blind. I want to commend the investigators of the Ridgeland Police Department for all the work they did to ensure his property was located and the person responsible was apprehended.”

Defendant: 

Name: DIXIE CHEYENNE WHITE 

DOB: 07/15/1993 

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CANTON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FRAMING EX-WIFE FOR DRUG POSSESSION

Madison County, MS - Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced today that Kenneth Ray Jackson, 47, of Canton, pled guilty to transfer of 10 to 20 dosage units of methamphetamine as a non-violent habitual offender and was sentenced to serve eighteen years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole. 

On June 10, 2024, the Madison County Sheriff’s Department received a call from a man identifying himself as Tony. He informed officers that a female Nissan employee was dealing large amounts of drugs and would be working that day. Narcotics investigators immediately began investigating his claims by conducting surveillance of her car. However, the officers quickly became suspicious of Jackson’s claims when they realized that he had given them a false name for himself and failed to inform officers that the woman was his estranged wife. 

While investigators were observing the woman’s vehicle, Jackson called them back and stated that there would be 23 ecstasy pills in her gas cap. Shortly after speaking with Jackson, the investigator observed Jackson himself pull up to the victim’s vehicle and deposit a baggie of drugs inside her gas cap. He was immediately arrested and charged with the transfer of a controlled substance. 

Other officers located the female inside the Nissan plant working. She consented to the search of her car, and the officers retrieved the bag of ecstasy pills. She informed the officers that Jackson was her estranged husband, and she had received a protective order against Kenneth Jackson four days prior. Investigators also found a lengthy history of disturbance calls by the female on Jackson for violent and destructive behavior during their marriage that had gotten more severe after she told him she wanted a divorce. 

Jackson is a habitual offender, having been previously convicted of uttering a forgery, felonious child abuse, and burglary. He will have to serve every day of his eighteen-year sentence without the possibility of early release.

“Kenneth Jackson is no stranger to the criminal justice system,” stated District Attorney Bubba Bramlett. “He knew exactly what he was doing when he attempted to frame his estranged wife with a felony amount of drugs. I want to commend the officers who took the time to conduct a thorough investigation and realized that the information that they had initially received was wholly false. The Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit’s dedication to ensuring accuracy in their investigations allowed them to take a guilty man off the streets and make sure an innocent woman wasn’t charged for the pure maliciousness of her hopefully soon-to-be ex-husband.”

Defendant: 

Name: KENNETH RAY JACKSON

Date of Birth: 04/17/1978

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Mendenhall Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Home Burglary

Madison and Rankin Counties' District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced today that Dennis Anthony Walker was sentenced on April 22, 2025, for an October 2023 burglary of a residence in Rankin County. Circuit Judge Steve Ratcliff sentenced Walker to serve 25 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. 

On October 13, 2023, the Rankin County Sheriff's Department responded to a 911 call at a home on Clara Foote Road for a suspected house burglary. Upon arrival, Deputies discovered that the house had been ransacked, and a child's piggy bank had been stolen. Additionally, they found signs of forced entry into the home. Deputies canvased the area, and neighbors reported seeing a male running from the house into a wooded area. Deputies searched where the suspect had escaped but found only a pair of red flip-flops. Continuing their search, Deputies located a vehicle in the woods adjacent to the burglarized residence. Dispatchers informed the deputies that the car belonged to Dennis Anthony Walker. The deputies retrieved Walker's driver's license. 

The homeowner arrived home and gave the law enforcement officer access to her surveillance camera. The camera captured images of the burglar prowling through the victim's home. This suspect was wearing red flip-flops. Deputies compared the driver's license to the person in the surveillance video, and it was clear Dennis Walker was the person who broke into the victim's home. Based on this information, an arrest warrant was issued for Walker. Law enforcement also learned that Walker had previous convictions in neighboring counties for house burglary. Investigators later apprehended Walker in Simpson County with the help of Simpson County Deputies. During questioning, Walker admitted he broke into the victim's home. 

Defendant: 

Name: Dennis Anthony Walker 
Date of Birth: 9/6/1979 

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JACKSON WOMAN SENTENCED TO SERVE 25 YEARS AFTER BEING BUSTED IN UNDERCOVER STING AT RIDGELAND HOTEL

Madison County, MS - Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced today that Samantha Lombardi, of Jackson, pled guilty to possession with the intent to sell more than ten but less than thirty grams of methamphetamine and was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Dewey Arthur to serve twenty-five years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

In February 2025, the Ridgeland Police Department began an undercover investigation into prostitution and drug sales occurring at Ridgeland area hotels. The undercover officer and Lombardi agreed to meet at the Staybridge Suites, where Lombardi believed she would be engaging in prostitution and selling the individual methamphetamine. When she arrived, she was taken into custody and found to be in possession of various drugs, including methamphetamine, PCP, liquid codeine, ecstasy pills, and marijuana.

Instead of waiting on the crime lab to test all the suspected controlled substances, Lombardi elected to waive grand jury presentment and plead guilty to possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell. At the time of her arrest, Lombardi was on three years of non-adjudicated probation for a robbery charge out of Hinds County.

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “Ms. Lombardi believed she was going to sell drugs and sexual services at a Madison County hotel. Instead, she encountered the Street Crimes Unit of the Ridgeland Police Department. This Unit is dedicated to investigating the drug dealers, drug users, prostitutes, and other criminals seeking to conduct their illegal business in Ridgeland. We commend the hard work of the Ridgeland Police Department in identifying criminal activity and apprehending those responsible.”

Defendant:

Name: SAMANTHA LOMBARDI

DOB: 03/30/1989

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Rankin County Jury Finds 26-Year-Old Man Guilty of Sexual Battery and Gratification of Lust

Rankin County, MS - Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that James Matthew Gardner, 26, was found guilty by a Rankin County jury following a two-day trial last week. Judge Steve Ratcliff will sentence Gardner on June 23, 2025. Gardner is facing up to forty-five years in prison.

On September 19, 2023, the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department received a call to a home regarding a juvenile sexual assault victim. It was reported that the abuse took place at the victim’s residence. The victim disclosed that Gardner was living at the home during the years of sexual abuse.

The victim and a sibling were interviewed by the Parker’s Children’s Advocacy Center in Pearl, Mississippi. The victim received a medical exam at the Children’s Safe Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Law enforcement interviewed the defendant and others, executed search warrants for electronics, the defendant's home, and the defendant’s vehicle, and took photographs. Additionally, law enforcement retrieved physical evidence from the house that the victim shared with the defendant. The physical evidence was sent to the Mississippi Forensics Lab for processing and testing.

The jury heard from the victim, the victim’s sibling, two investigators with the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, a nurse practitioner from the Children’s Safe Center who examined the victim, and two forensic scientists with the Mississippi Forensics Lab. Additionally, the defendant testified on his own behalf. 

After hearing the testimony over two days, the jury found Gardner guilty of one count of sexual battery and one count of gratification of lust. The potential penalty for sexual battery is zero to thirty years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The potential penalty for gratification of lust is two to fifteen years and a $1,000 to $5,000 fine. Gardner will be required to register as a sex offender and have no contact with the victim. Any sentence imposed on Gardner will be served day for day without the possibility of parole or early release.

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “This is a case where the victim lived with the unreported abuse by Gardner for years. We are thankful for the work of the multitude of agencies and law enforcement personnel involved in helping get this victim justice and getting this pedophile off the streets. Our office will continue to fight for and protect our children from abuse.”

Defendant:

Name: James Matthew Gardner 

Date of Birth: 01/14/1999

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JACKSON MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO $100,000 IN TRAILER THEFTS

Madison County, MS—Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced today that Jayleen Jefferson, of Jackson, pled guilty to grand larceny of more than $25,000 in value. Circuit Court Dewey Arthur sentenced him to fifteen years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections and ordered him to pay restitution to his victims. Upon his release, he will be on post-release supervision for five years.

In June of 2024, the Ridgeland Police Department began investigating a string of thefts involving work trailers over several weeks in Ridgeland and Brandon. Although there were no eyewitnesses to any of the actual thefts, RPD and Brandon PD were able to develop a suspect through video surveillance, communication devices, and other technical evidence. Jefferson, 30, used rental vehicles, switched tags, false alibis, and forged documents in a rather sophisticated operation targeting commercial trailers and their contents.

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “I would like to thank the officers and investigators with the Brandon Police Department, Ridgeland Police Department, and the Jackson Airport Police for all of their hard work on this case. Mr. Jefferson stole over $100,000 in trailers and their contents. He went out of his way to try to evade the police but was ultimately unsuccessful. The Ridgeland business community also assisted police by quickly providing surveillance footage to assist their neighboring businesses that Mr. Jefferson had victimized.”

Defendant: Name:

JAYLEEN J. JEFFERSON

DOB: 02/18/1995

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ILLEGAL ALIEN SENTENCED FOR RAPING WOMAN AT LOCAL RESTAURANT

Madison, MS - Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett’s Office announced today that Jose “Rigo” Rigoberto Mejia-Cubias pled guilty to one count of sexual battery in Madison County Circuit Court. Three months after the commission of the crime, he was sentenced on April 28, 2025, by Judge Dewey Arthur to twenty-five years in prison without the possibility of early release or parole.

Around 1 a.m. on January 30th, 2025, Madison Police Department responded to a female caller who stated she had been raped at Fernando’s, located in the city of Madison. The caller advised that she had gone to the restaurant the night before and sat at the bar. She indicated her assailant was the bartender working that night, who served all of her drinks throughout the night. She did not remember everything that happened, but woke up on the floor of the bar area around midnight, left the premises, and called the police. The owners of Fernando’s assisted law enforcement by immediately providing the surveillance footage from the restaurant that showed the female victim sitting in the bar area after the restaurant closed, speaking with the bartender. She then passes out, almost falling to the floor, and the bartender moves her from a barstool to the floor. He proceeded to have sexual intercourse with the victim while she was completely unconscious and appeared lifeless for over an hour and a half.

Cubias was indicted four days later, on February 3, 2025, for sexual battery of a physically helpless person. Law enforcement also determined he was an illegal El Salvadoran immigrant and alerted federal authorities to his immigration status. He is still facing pending charges for illegal entry into the United States. He was previously deported in 2010.

“Our office wants to commend the Madison Police Department for their immediate response to this situation and securing the surveillance video which captured this victim’s entire ordeal,” stated District Attorney Bubba Bramlett. “With the video, we were able to see exactly what Jose Rigoberto Mejia-Cubias did to this woman while she was unable to consent or make him stop his assault. I hope this swift justice brings closure to the victim and serves as a warning to anyone thinking of committing a similarly heinous offense.”

Defendant:

Name: Jose “Rigo” Rigoberto Mejia-Cubias

DOB: 10/27/1987

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54-Year-Old Child Molester Pleads Guilty to Attempted Escape and Simple Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer

Rankin County - Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Franky Lee Lovern, Sr., 54, of Brandon, pled guilty to Attempted Escape and Simple Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer. Judge Steve Ratcliff sentenced Lovern to two concurrent terms of five (5) years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, the maximum sentence for each crime. These sentences will be served consecutively to the thirty (30) year sentence Lovern began serving after a Rankin County jury found him guilty of Sexual Battery of a Child and Gratification of Lust in October 2024.

These new convictions come as a result of Lovern's assault of a Rankin County Deputy and attempted escape as he was being taken into custody after the guilty verdicts were returned. While being handcuffed, Lovern tried to grab the deputy's gun, and a struggle ensued. Rankin County Sheriff’s deputies responded quickly and were able to subdue Lovern and prevent his escape.

"If it were not awful enough that this defendant stole the innocence of the child he molested, he compounded his disgusting behavior by attempting to grab a gun and escape from custody just outside the very doors where justice was returned,” stated District Attorney Bubba Bramlett. “We are grateful the deputy and his fellow officers reacted quickly to alleviate the threat. I thank the Rankin County Sheriff's Department for their bravery as they protected our judicial system that day."

Defendant:

Name: Franky Lee Lovern

Date of Birth: 06/13/1970

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38-Year-Old Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Aggravated DUI

Rankin County—Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Marcal Joshua Collins has been sentenced to serve twenty-five (25) years in the state penitentiary following his guilty plea to two counts of Aggravated DUI in which one victim died and another sustained injuries. 

On the night of August 21, 2023, the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol and other local law enforcement agencies responded to a wreck on I-20 near the Crossgates exit in Brandon. Officers discovered that a Dodge Ram driven by Collins had collided with a Honda Accord driven by Ty O’Neal and carrying his mother, Hattie Lorene O’Neal. Tragically, Ms. O’Neal passed away due to injuries sustained in the wreck. Officers determined that Collins had been driving the wrong way on the interstate and caused the violent head-on collision. Due to a strong odor of alcohol, officers immediately suspected Collins of DUI. Collins admitted to having had several vodka drinks, and officers recovered two vodka bottles from his truck. Collins’s blood alcohol content was .191. 

“Lives taken. Lives destroyed. Driving under the influence is pure selfishness; it’s criminal, and it kills,” stated District Attorney Bramlett District. “Our thoughts and prayers continue for the O’Neal family.” 

Name: Marcal Joshua Collins 

Date of Birth: 11/24/1986 

45-Year-Old Pearl Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Sexual Battery and Gratification of Lust of a 15-Year-Old

Rankin County – Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Steven Joseph Tatum, 45, pled guilty to Sexual Battery and Gratification of Lust of a 15-year-old girl. 

The Honorable Judge Dewey Arthur sentenced Tatum to thirty (30) years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for Sexual Battery, with fifteen (15) of those years to be served day for day without the possibility of parole or early release. The Honorable Judge Arthur further sentenced Tatum to fifteen (15) years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for Gratification of Lust. These sentences will run concurrently. Upon his release, Tatum will be placed on supervised probation for an additional 5 years and will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. 

On April 15, 2024, the victim’s parents learned that Tatum had sexually abused their daughter. Upon reporting this to the Pearl Police Department, the Pearl Police Department began an extensive investigation, which included obtaining search warrants for digital evidence and a forensic interview of the child by the Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center. This forensic interview process allows trained specialists to gather information from child victims in a manner that minimizes additional trauma. Not only did the investigation reveal that Tatum sexually abused the child, but it also uncovered Tatum’s manipulation of the child through electronic communication. 

“We stand with the Pearl Police Department in the fight to protect our children and hold their abusers accountable,” stated District Attorney Bubba Bramlett. “We appreciate their diligent efforts as well as the Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center who helped us bring this child predator to justice.” 

Defendant: 

Name: Steven Joseph Tatum 

Date of Birth: 5/1/1979 

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