Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Counterfeit ring gets to make a different sort of engraving.... for 20 years.

Madison-Rankin District Attorney Michael Guest issued the following press release.



Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Michael Guest announced today that Tonnie Carroll, Brenda Cross, Sylvester Anderson and Andre McClain pled guilty to Racketeering for their involvement in a counterfeiting ring that was operating in the metro area. Each defendant was sentenced to serve a term of 20 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

In August of 2015, the Madison Police Department began an investigation into a ring of individuals that were passing counterfeit United States currency to retail establishments in Madison. The members of the group would purchases items with counterfeit money and later return the items for a refund in order to receive authentic currency.

The Madison Police Department was able to obtain video of two of the individuals passing the bills and put the information out through media outlets hoping someone could help identify the suspects. After the information was released, Crime Stoppers received a call that identified both Carrol and Cross, who resided in Itta Bena, as the individuals in the video.

Investigators at the Madison Police Department contacted the Leflore County Sheriff’s Department and were able to confirm the identity of Carrol and Cross and were also able to identify a third suspect involved as being Anderson.

Warrants were issued for the arrest of all three suspects. After their arrest, law enforcement officers spoke with Carroll and Cross and both admitted to passing counterfeit money in Madison, Canton and Jackson. They also identified McClain as the ringleader and as the person who had printed the money. A warrant was issued for McClain’s arrest and he was later apprehended in Indianapolis.

Guest stated, “I am proud of the work by the Madison Police Department that led to the dismantling of a counterfeiting ring that was targeting businesses in Madison and Hinds Counties. I want to thank the Leflore County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance in helping us identify and apprehend several suspects in our case. These convictions are yet another example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies work together.”

Guest added, “The convictions for racketeering would have not been possible without Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers is an outstanding organization that is dedicated to assisting law enforcement in the investigation and apprehension of criminal suspects. The involvement of the media, Crime Stoppers and the public led to the information needed to identify, arrest and prosecute these four defendants.”

Guest concluded, “The defendants were indicted for racketeering after evidence was presented that they acted in conjunction with one another to engage in a series of illegal acts to defraud the business community in our area. I hope that the convictions and sentences will serve as a deterrent to others that may consider preying on the businesses or citizens of Madison County.”

District Attorney Michael Guest was sworn into office in January 2008 and represents the Twentieth Judicial District, Madison and Rankin Counties. For more information regarding the District Attorney’s office, follow us on Facebook, download our app or please visit www.daguest.com.

Defendants:

Name: Tonnie Carroll
Address: 224 Lincoln Street, Itta Bena
Date of Birth: December 19, 1967

Name: Brenda Cross
Address: 224 Lincoln Street, Itta Bena
Date of Birth: December 24, 1974

Name: Sylvester Anderson
Address: 209 Roosevelt Street, Itta Bena
Date of Birth: August 31, 1977

Name: Andre McClain
Address: 2728 Sharon Lane, Greenville
Date of Birth: December 18, 1975

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would encourage anyone to look at a Google street view of the addresses given. I don't know what in the world these people were spending their ill-gotten gains upon (>cough< drugs >cough<) but it sure as hell wasn't housing.

Anonymous said...

Michael Guest Great Job! Atleast the thugs get hammered over here. Go to Hinds and you get time served for murder and you people wonder why Jackson is a shot hole. Yes we have our problem but the difference is..... we deal with them. But in all reality when your DA is crooked not much you can do since you are the leader....

Anonymous said...

Dumb criminals. Dont do this in madison county. Commit this crime in jackson and you never even get arrested.

Anonymous said...

7:02 you must be fooling yourself? 20 years for counterfeit money? I'm willing to bet you they where black. Show me a case where michael guest has prosecuted a white defendant that has received more than 8 years and thats for ANY type of crime.

Responding to 9:36 said...

Wasn't long ago D.A. Guest laid down like a near 50 year sentence on some college age kid caught dealing LSD or the sorts? What was his race?

Anonymous said...

@ 11:17 I believe he had some "brown" - either Middle Eastern or Indian - not the woo woo type.

In all seriousness, essentially calling D.A. Guest racist because he is tough on crime is definitely the thoughts of most apologetic Fondren/Belhaven/JFP types.

Anonymous said...

@9:36 District Attorney Michael Guest does not have a racist bone in his body! You would only say something so untrue anonymously. He is tough on ALL crime.

PittPanther said...

2:52pm, why are you surprised? It's almost always drugs that provides the motivation to commit crimes.

Maybe now that everyone in the country is wringing their hands over the heroin/opiod abuse issues, we can focus on doing something about drug abuse. Or not. Just keep arresting them. That policy has worked so well.

Anonymous said...

Well, drugs are illegal to give people a hint that they are bad. Then there is the evidence that they are bad that you can learn through basic observation and education. Then there are people who choose to start using them anyway. Thus starts a sad downward spiral that is completely preventable by not starting them in the first place, which is a choice that people make despite knowing that it is illegal...

PittPanther said...

1:11pm, not sure what your point is. Yes, drugs are illegal. But that hasn't stopped what appears to be a majority of people, or at least a very significant minority of people, from using them. And it's all walks of life use drugs, from the hoity toity of the River Hills Club set to the dirtiest Capitol St crack head.

Envelope Please - The Award Goes To Pitt Panther.. said...

Pitt Panther is a piece of work.

While questioning the point someone else seems to have not made, Pitt deflects, engages in fallacy and attempts to make a point that this story is not about greed and criminals printing money, but is ultimately and certainly about drugs and drug usage and therefore must be about the senseless arrest of people who use or sell drugs illegally.

So, after having been set straight by 'da panther' we realize our personal and societal guilt and wring our hands over the incarceration of people who do nothing worse than toking a little weed.

I'm left wondering if Pitt Panther and Tomie Green had the same mother and early childhood mentor. That must be it! How else could two people reach such similar conclusions regarding society's misfits who won't follow our laws?

Anonymous said...

Pitt, my point is this crazy thing called taking responsibility for your very own life choices. That's what drugs are. Breaking the law is a choice too with easy to understand consequences. If your point is geared toward prison reform then yeah, let's start by cleaning those up prior to adding additional services and then see if we can save some of my tax dollars by rehabilitating rather than providing a drug and cell phone haven mixed with straight lockup...



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.