Grimy Times has learned that former Noxubee County Sheriff Terry Grassaree, 61, of Macon, has pleaded guilty to making false statements to agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding his relationship with an inmate in the Noxubee County jail.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Grassaree used his position as Sheriff to solicit and accept nude photos and videos from a female inmate in exchange for favorable treatment of the inmate. The inmate, who was not identified, was given benefits at the jail that other inmates did not receive, or did not receive as often, including allowing the use of a contraband cell phone, tobacco, and other items. She was also made a trusty and given a job cooking in the jail.
On March 5, 2019, Grassaree used a social media platform to request a video from the inmate. On the same date, Grassaree received multiple nude images from the inmate via the social media platform and responded in a flirtatious and complimentary manner.
During an interview with the FBI, Grassaree lied about receiving the photographs, and these statements were intended to influence the FBI’s investigation of Grassaree and the treatment of detainees in the Noxubee County jail.
Grassaree was indicted by a federal grand jury on October 5, 2022. One of Grassaree’s former deputies, Vance Phillips, has also pleaded guilty to using facilities in interstate commerce, namely, the internet and a cellular phone, for the purpose of committing the offense of bribery. Phillips is awaiting sentencing and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Grassaree is scheduled to be sentenced on August 7, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case, with U.S. Attorney Todd W. Gee of the Southern District of Mississippi and Special Agent in Charge Robert Eikhoff making the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kimberly Purdie and Dave Fulcher are prosecuting the case.
Related Federal Cases
- Notorious Ex-Sheriff Terry Grassaree Pleads Guilty to Soliciting Nude Photos from Inmate · Mississippi
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- Hattiesburg Man Terry O’neal Grant Sentenced in Oxycodone Fraud Scheme · Mississippi
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Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Sex Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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