Jackson Jambalaya

Trouble seems to follow Justin Fowler and those around him.  Rankin County Circuit Judge Dewey Arthur revoked his probation and sent him to prison for five years after his attorney, Judy Barnett, and her son after a police report alleged they smuggled contraband to him in the Rankin County jail. 

Rankin County deputies arrested Fowler in October 2024 for threatening Rankin County Prosecutor Trey Spillman.    The Rankin County grand jury indicted him in February 2025 for retaliation against a public servant.   The indictment states: 

on or about October 1, 2024, in the county aforesaid and within the jurisdiction of this Court, did willfully, unlawfully, feloniously, intentionally or knowingly threaten to harm County Prosecutor Trey Spillman by an unlawful act, to wit: Defendant sent threatening emails to Prosecutor Spillman in retaliation for actions taken lawfully by Prosecutor Spillman, a public servant acting within the scope of his duty with the Rankin County Justice Court...

Spillman prosecuted on two domestic violence cases prior to the arrest.  Fowler sent threatening emails to the County Prosecutor.   Fowler pleaded guilty in May 2025.  Rankin County Circuit Judge Dewey Arthur sentenced Fowler to 10 years in prison but suspended 9 years and 358 days of the sentence and gave him credit for time served in jail.  However, Fowler just could not stay out of trouble for even a year.  

MDOC asked the Court to revoke Fowler's probation on May 7, 2026 after he tested positive for cocaine and marijuana.  The Court revoked Fowler's probation for twenty days.  However, the fun was just beginning.   

Attorney Judy Barnett represented Fowler.  The attorney and her son, Winston Sykes, visited Fowler in the room reserved for attorneys at the Rankin County Detention Center on May 20. Young Sykes just graduated from law school. 

Rankin County deputies accused Barnett and Sykes of smuggling contraband to Fowler during the visit.  MDOC's petition included a Rankin County Sheriff's Office police report that stated: 

On or about May 20, 2026, I, Investigator Willard Holifield, met with Rankin County Jail.(RCJ) staff and administration concerning an attorney and guest meeting with Justin Fowler in the RCJ interview room. They then gave him a vape to use and other items under the. table of the interview room. The other item that was give to him by the female visitor was.placed in his mouth and in his sock. Fowler used the vape twice while in the room. The incident was captured on the RCJ camera. Fowler was given a urine screening, where he was positive on other substances that were not originally in his system at the .time of his intake. The two visitors were identified at Mary Judith Barnett and Winston Sykes. This is an ongoing investigation.

Although deputies did not charge Barnett and her son, they charged Fowler with introducing contraband other than drugs into a correctional facility.   Since Fowler was charged with a new felony, MDOC again asked the Court to revoke Fowler's probation.  

Justice was swift indeed in Rankin County as Judge Arthur held the hearing a week later.  No Hinds County timetables in this case.  

Judge Arthur opened the hearing stating Barnett no longer represented Fowler due to a "conflict of interest" and appointed public defender Aafram Sellers to represent Fowler.  

Rankin County Investigator William Holifield testified he watched a video of Fowler and his lawyer in the meeting room.  Barnett looked around as if she were looking for cameras.  The room has cameras but they are hidden although they do not record sound (to protect attorney-client privilege).  

The detective said Sykes handed Fowler a vape pen under the table.  Fowler went to a corner of the room and twice smoked the vape.  As he sat down, he returned the vape pen to Sykes while receiving a pill bottle from Barnett again under the table.  Fowler ingested one pill and placed the other in his sock.

Fowler was observed in the booking area doing something to his sock.  He later confessed he pushed the pill further down his sock. Sellers Fowler swallowed the pill when he feared discovery. 

Hollifield twice interviewed Fowler.  Fowler was very cooperative as he confessed to what took place in the meeting room.  Fowler flunked a drug test, testing positive for Klonopin and marijuana.  However, Fowler had already tested positive for marijuana when he was taken into custody earlier in the month.   

Sellers tried to defend his client, arguing Barnett and her son, not Fowler, introduced the contraband into the detention center.  Rankin County Assistant District Attorney Jacque Purnell pointed out it is also illegal for an inmate to possess contraband.  She provided a copy of the video to Judge Arthur who in turn watched it on the bench.  

Judge Arthur agreed with the prosecution, stating the defendant can be found guilty of possession even if he did not assist in "furnishing" the contraband.   The Court found Fowler was guilty of possessing an unauthorized electronic device in a county jail. "It is apparent to the Court, Mr. Fowler, you knew you weren't supposed to do this," declared Judge Arthur. 

The judge ruled it was more likely than not Fowler was guilty of possession but noted he cooperated "substantially."  Judge Arthur made it clear what he thought about such crimes: "It's no secret you take drugs into the county jail, the sentence should be the maximum" as he revoked Fowler's probation and sent him to prison for five years. 

Judge Arthur was not done.  He ordered the court reporter to "prepare a transcript and send it to the Mississippi Bar.  It is the Court's sincere hope law enforcement and the State will do the same."   

"I'm going to be very frank, Mr. Fowler.  Just because someone else does something jacked up, doesn't mean you get to do something jacked up," said the judge as he concluded the hearing.   

Kingfish note: As stated earlier, Ms. Barnett and her son have not been charged with a crime.   They have not presented their side of the story.  It will be reported when they do.