Jackson Police Officer Charged with Extortion

U.S. Attorney’s Office
24 September 2015

JACKSON, MS—A criminal complaint has been filed against Jackson Police Officer Bryan Jones, 44, of Jackson, charging him with extortion by use of his position as a police officer, announced U.S. Attorney Gregory K. Davis and FBI Special Agent in Charge Donald Alway.

The criminal complaint alleges that Jones used his position as a Jackson Police Officer to extort money. According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, Jones assisted drug dealers by conducting illegal traffic stops, searches, and seizures on competitors or rival drug dealers. On April 15, 2015, Jones illegally stopped a vehicle and seized $5,000 from someone he believed to be a drug dealer coming into Jackson to purchase drugs. The affidavit further states that Jones conducted an illegal stop on June 23, 2014 and seized cash from someone he believed to be a drug dealer. The cash taken by Jones on both occasions was never recorded or submitted to the Jackson Police Department; instead the cash was divided between Jones and another person.

United States Attorney Gregory K. Davis praised the efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and would like to thank Chief Lee Vance and the Jackson Police Department for their assistance in this matter.

Jones will appear in federal court for an initial appearance today at 2:00 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Linda R. Anderson. The offense charged in the complaint carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.

This case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Helen Wall and Erin Chalk.

A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.