A $400,000 Bond Has Been Set For An Area Sheriff Facing 12 Felony Charges

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)- Webster County Sheriff Tim Mitchell appeared before a judge Thursday afternoon for his alleged misconduct while on the job.

In his initial court appearance, all 12 charges against Mitchell were read to him.

He was also given a $400,000 bond.

Handcuffed and shackled, that’s how the sheriff came out for his first court appearance.

He was even seen smiling and winking at family members as he entered the courtroom.

“Today was just the initial appearance when the judge advised him of what he was charged with, made sure he had an attorney, and handle the bond,” said Doug Evans, District Attorney in Mississippi’s Fifth Circuit Court District.

Mitchell was arrested Wednesday morning at his home on Hobby Road.

The seven year sheriff is facing a dozen charges which include attempting a sexual act with an inmate, giving weapons to an inmate, and he’s even facing embezzlement accusations.

Several state agencies are continuing to collect evidence and speak with witnesses in this on-going investigation.

If convicted, the sheriff could face up to 152 years behind bars and have to pay over $100,000 in fines.

“In this case because of the nature of the 12 charges against him and because of some threats that had been made, we agreed to a $400,000 bond,” said Evans. “If he makes that bond, he would be required to be limited to have to stay at his home and he would be required to have electronic monitoring to make sure that he stays home.”

It was just last month when Mitchell announced he would be stepping down as the sheriff in Webster County.

He cited on-going health issues as his reason behind that decision..

His last day on the job was set for January 2, 2019.

“He is still the sheriff but he has appointed Andy McCants as the Chief Deputy to run the sheriff’s department so long as he is not able to serve as sheriff,” the district attorney said.

As of now, a date has not been set yet for Mitchell’s next court appearance.

The Webster County Board of Supervisors have scheduled a special called meeting to take place on December 26th.