PEARL POLICE OFFICER SENTENCED TO TWENTY YEARS IN PRISON FOR GRAND LARCENY COMMITTED WHILE ON DUTY

District Attorney John K. “Bubba” Bramlett announced today that former Pearl Police Officer, Christopher Taylor Lofton, 30, pled guilty to grand larceny in Rankin County Circuit Court. Lofton was sentenced to the maximum term of 20 years to serve by Circuit Judge Dewey Arthur. As part of his sentence, Lofton must also pay full restitution in the amount of $32,000 and surrender his law enforcement certificate.

On November 18, 2024, Lofton, while working as a patrol officer for the Pearl Police Department, responded to a call for assistance after an elderly woman passed away in her home. Officers and paramedics attempted to revive the woman to no avail, and she was pronounced dead of natural causes on scene. Shortly after officers left, the deceased’s husband contacted the Pearl Police Department to report that he was missing $32,000 in cash that been stored in the couple’s bedroom.

Immediately upon learning of the complaint, the Pearl Police Chief contacted the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and turned over the body worn cameras of all officers who had been at the home. Investigators with MBI quickly determined that Lofton had entered the couple’s bedroom, located the money in a dresser drawer, and taken it with him when he left.

MBI turned the case over to the Rankin District Attorney’s Office. He was indicted for one count of grand larceny. Lofton elected to plead guilty to the charge in lieu of a trial. The State recommended a sentence to the maximum allowed by law due to the facts of the case.

District Attorney Bubba Bramlett stated, “We commend the transparency of the Pearl Police Department in immediately turning this case over to MBI. We thank MBI for turning over an extremely thorough and complete investigative file to our office for prosecution. This officer failed in every respect by not serving the public’s trust, not protecting the innocent, and not upholding the law. He not only violated every standard of law enforcement, but those of human decency as well. Our prayers continue for the victim and his family.”

Defendant: CHRISTOPHER TAYLOR LOFTON

DOB: 08/30/1995

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