Webster County Sheriff Timothy Seth Mitchell, 53, was charged with multiple felonies by state investigators on Tuesday (courtesy photo)
Webster County's highest law enforcement official was arrested by state investigators Wednesday and charged with a long list of felonies ranging from tampering with evidence to sexual contact with an inmate.
In a press release on Wednesday morning, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation announced that Webster County Sheriff Timothy Seth Mitchell, 53, was charged with two counts of embezzlement; two counts of trafficking in stolen firearms; one count of attempting sex and/or sexual acts with an inmate; one count of tampering with physical evidence; three counts of retaliation against a witness; one count of permitting possession and/or sale of controlled substance in jail; and two counts of furnishing an inmate with weapons, cell phone, and narcotics.
At the time of his arrest, the Eupora native was serving his second term as county sheriff.
If convicted, Mitchell faces a minimum of nine years and a maximum of 152 years, along with fines up to $102,000, for the 12 felony counts.
Mitchell is currently in the custody of the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department pending his initial appearance.
The SDN's news partner, WTVA News, previously reported that Mitchell tendered his resignation to the Webster County Board of Supervisors earlier this month, citing health reasons for his decision to step down.
He was officially set to retire on Jan. 2, 2019, with a replacement to be named by the county before the end date.
The Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHP), MHP SWAT, SOG, and Interdiction teams, Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, Mississippi State Auditor’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the 5th District Attorney’s Office participated in the investigation and resulting arrest.
State Auditor Shad White praised the multi-agency effort, which he said brought together different types of expertise to work together.
"I’m thankful for the team of agents from the auditor’s office who worked on this case with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation," White said. "My goal is to continue to forge partnerships around law enforcement and government so we can hold lawbreakers accountable. This situation in Webster County involved serious allegations of embezzlement, and the hard work of all the involved agencies ensured we minimized any risk from today’s actions. We will continue to work with MBI and prosecutors to help move this case to completion.”