Sheriff saga takes a new twist

WEBSTER COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – Breaking developments to a story we first brought to you last month.

Webster County Sheriff Tim Mitchell said he’d be stepping down from his position on January 2nd, 2019.

Despite being charged with 12 felonies and still being in jail, last week Mitchell rescinded his resignation, and the Webster County Board of Supervisors accepted that letter.

This means county leaders agreed to keep Mitchell as the sheriff in Webster County.

The board also agreed to let Chief Deputy Andy McCants handle the day-to-day operations until Mitchell’s legal case is settled.

However, that all changed late Wednesday afternoon when Circuit Judges Joseph Loper and George Mitchell Jr. entered an order stripping Mitchell of all of his powers and appointing McCants as the Sheriff Pro Tempore.

This means McCants is responsible for running the department which includes hiring and firing personnel.

Now we do want to point out, the judge’s ruling doesn’t legally remove Mitchell from office.

However, it will now put a burden on the board of supervisors because the county is now legally bound to pay both Mitchell and McCants a salary of $75,000 until Mitchell is either removed from office as part of his legal case or his term expires.

If Mitchell is convicted, it will be the duty and responsibility for supervisors to sue for his bond and any salary he is being paid during the investigation pending a conviction.

Sheriff Mitchell is currently behind bars at the Lafayette County Jail and has not made bail.

We’re going to continue to follow this developing story and bring you the latest details as they become available.

Click here to read the court order from Judge Joseph Loper and George Mitchell Jr.