Starkville police officer Drew Jones has been suspended for five days and placed on probation for a year, following recent incidents which resulted in the city filing non-prosecution orders against current and former Mississippi State football players, a city official confirmed Friday.
The city declined to terminate Jones following the August 28 arrests of current MSU defensive lineman Nick James and former MSU wide receiver Derunnya Wilson. Jones also did not offer his resignation following the incidents, the official confirmed.
James and Wilson were arrested last month following a traffic stop on Maxwell Street, along Cotton Row. A disturbing the peace charge against James, and obstruction of justice, possession of a controlled substance (Xanax) and possession of marijuana charges against Wilson were dropped September 1. The non-prosecution orders were both signed by SPD Chief Frank Nichols and Municipal Court Judge Rodney Faver.
An official with knowledge of the disciplinary action spoke to the Starkville Daily News under condition of anonymity after the city denied a subsequent public records request related to the disciplinary action.
For more on the story, see the Sept. 24 edition.