Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, II is pleading guilty to public corruption charges right now in U.S. District Court. A federal grand jury indicted Owens for conspiracy, bribery (3 counts) us of an interstate facility in aid of racketeering, honest services fraud, and money laundering.
Owens appeared at the podium flanked by his attorney as he stood before U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan, III. Attorney Gary Bufkin represents Owens at the hearing. The District Attorney said he was treated for anxiety and depression since his indictment. Owens said he has never been treated for addiction.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Fulcher represented the Justice Department.
Fulcher said the basic terms of the plea agreement are for Owens to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery, money laundering, and honest services fraud. The prosecutor said the government will not seek forfeiture but will seek restitution. Conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $250,000.
The Assistant U.S. Attorney recited the facts of the crime as spelled out in the indictment. Judge Jordan accepted the plea agreement.
Owens resigned his position as Hinds County District Attorney. The resignation will be effective July 1. Owens announces the resignation on social media:
Today, I officially submitted my resignation as Hinds County District Attorney, effective July 1, 2026. This was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made.Serving as your District Attorney has been the privilege and honor of a lifetime. Every day, I had the opportunity to work alongside an incredible team of prosecutors, investigators, victim advocates, and staff who dedicated themselves to seeking justice and serving the people of Hinds County. I could not be more proud of what we accomplished together.While it hurts beyond measure to step away from a position I love, I believe this decision is what is best for me, my family, and the District Attorney's Office. I leave knowing the office is filled with talented, dedicated public servants who will continue the important work of protecting our community.To everyone who has supported, encouraged, and prayed for Michelle, our children, and me over these past two years, thank you. Your kindness, faith, and friendship have carried us through some of life's most challenging moments. We are deeply grateful.As we begin this next chapter, I ask only that you continue to keep our family in your prayers. We are hopeful for what lies ahead, confident that God is faithful, and excited to see what He has planned next.From the bottom of my heart, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve.God bless you, and God bless Hinds County.
Judge Jordan set sentencing for October 15 at 9:00 AM.
51 comments:
I bet ole Temu Drake is shaking at the moment.
First to crack
First to plea
First to get released from the federal PMITA lockup
Wow. Shocking and not shocking at the same time.
Say it ain’t so Jethro. The reality of not being able to BS your way out of this situation will tend to affect your mental state.
Sad, but not unexpected. Jodie and I are friends, which had nothing to do with his business ventures, or his politics. It was long before he became a politician.
what about other charges?
I'm guessing Antar's sphincter just got a tad bit tighter ?
All the indicted have probably been pooping like rabbits lately.
The street's money is a plea with no cooperation for Jody!
Oh no!
Anyway...
Ruh Ro!!! said the former Maya.
I bet ole unavailable for stress, available for relaxation about hit a channel marker when he heard that news.
Standard fed plea deals require testimony against co defendants. Owens was looking at a lot longer potential sentence if convicted. Chokwe not looking at that much time may be worth the risk for him. I doubt it with the evidence piling up, but who knows.
Being dismissed. Owens faces a five-year maximum sentence
@2:03 daaaaaang
Only conspiracy? That’s a really good deal this fellow when you consider his level of involvement. The US Attorney here seems to be a softie
Because the DA quit, the jury cannot acquit!
Shout out to Sister R!
There are reports that Chokwe fled to his dingy on the Rez and is paddling for Low Head Dam where a donkey is waiting to assist in his escape to Detroit.
Hinds County is probably willing to let him continue as DA via a working release program if the Feds will agree. Hinds County is all about law and order.
It is a very good deal for Owens. The Feds must really still want Lumumba. Honestly, I thought that Owens was the big fish now that Lumumba had been unelected, but obviously not. Owens did resign, so I guess that is something. Let's just hope it was worth cutting Owens such a good deal, i.e., let's hope Lumumba goes down one way or the other.
No cooperation, no reduced time. Bet he is talking, just acting like he's not until it is all over.
since he owns it hopefully downtown cigar lounge will be closed too. I'm waiting on the weekly video of hood activity that takens place there every weekend.
And Brett Favre sleeps peacefully another night again.
Does this mean we get a new decent DA? Who will it be?
Agree with the above that most federal pleas require cooperation and that, if Jody cooperates, that can help reduce his sentencing but, if he doesn't, he'll be looking at the full 5 years max.
And Antar is definitely now more worried. Jody's the one who brought him into this and who can tie him to this whole thing. Despite his prior statements, this was not a campaign contribution as the former mayor claims, but rather was clearly a bribe as Jody has now admitted.
Next contestant please.
Those comments from the jury pool member must have scared him. Bwa, ha, ha. From "part-time" DA to "doing-time" DA.
Jody resigned effective 7-1. That means he keeps his PERs and gets one more year of service.
When the DA quits, the jumpsuit will fit!
Scott Sullivan is a free man because he did the same thing. Not good for Lumumba.
"Hinds County is probably willing to let him continue as DA via a working release program if the Feds will agree."
He doesn't get to be an attorney with a felony on his record.
What is his crime? Unpaid interest charges?
Who will the next DA be? Who wants that job?
Does the fact that the DA has resigned and admitted to corruption affect any indictments that he was a part of when he was DA? Will this lead to a bunch of new trials for people who have already been convicted?
Someone check to see if Hell has frozen over?
He's getting off easy with a conspiracy charge considering he had the most going against him. Chokwe might as well bow out too. On the other hand, he might be too arrogant to do so. Does this mean that the guv appoints a temporary DA?
In a civil society, criminals must be held accountable. It is so disappointing when our elected officials are shown to be dishonest criminals.
Stan Alexander needs to be getting a call. How many crooked DA's is Hinds County going to go through before getting someone that can prosecute these cases.
Who will appoint an interim DA until an election is held?
What about those blood diamonds from Africa?
Technically, if he does not cooperate, does that not revoke the deal? Opening back up to the other charges that are Nolle prossed as a part of the plea deal?
@2:49 and more importantly, so is Phil Bryant.
This like the final 90 minutes of a ghetto version of Godfather II.
Jody really loved this “part-time” position.
Choke: "You bitch ass snitch!"
Jody: "Told you Miami is the devil's pit".
Peter Teeuwissen would be an excellent choice.
Obviously, he will be cooperating if they are willing to accept a plea to just one count. But about whom will he be testifying? I don't think they need his help to get the other two. So who? There may be some judges and maybe a lawyer or two who won't be sleeping well for the next little bit.
peters, smith, .....................now owens............another tragic ending for a hinds co DA.
Alexander??? Bahahaha!!!
The governor appoints any vacancy exceeding 6-months.
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