Gulfport, MS – Steven Wood, a 64-year-old former Mississippi Probation and Parole officer, has pleaded guilty to extortion by official right and witness tampering.
According to court documents, Wood used his position to extort drugs, sexual photos, and sexual services from multiple state probationers.
The investigation began when a probationer reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that Wood was having her bring him methamphetamine.
Subsequent investigation, including additional witness interviews and the forensic examination of Wood’s phone, revealed that he solicited methamphetamine, sexual photos, and videos from multiple probationers.
Wood took official action on behalf of the probationers by not reporting their use, possession, or transfer of illegal drugs, not requiring them to report for their probation visits, not requiring some of them to pay their probation fees, and writing at least one letter to be submitted by a probationer in a child custody dispute.
During the course of the investigation, Wood contacted multiple probationers and told one probationer to lie about her relationship with Wood and to hide evidence.
Wood pleaded guilty to one count of extortion by official right in violation of the Hobbs Act and one count of witness tampering. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 17, 2025, and faces not more than 20 years of imprisonment for both offenses.
Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi and FBI Special Agent in Charge, Rob Eikhoff, made the announcement.
The FBI, with the assistance of the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Buckner is prosecuting the case.
Defendant’s Information:
Defendant: Steven Wood
Criminal Charges: Extortion by official right and witness tampering
City and State: Gulfport, Mississippi
Exact Date: No specific date mentioned, but the case is scheduled to be sentenced on September 17, 2025
Sentence or Outcome: Scheduled to be sentenced on September 17, 2025, and faces not more than 20 years of imprisonment for both offenses
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Key Facts
- State: Mississippi
- Category: Public Corruption|Sex Crimes|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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