Former JPD Officer Sentenced to Prison for Bribery

Jackson, Miss - Former Jackson Police Officer Melvin Williams, 48, was sentenced on June 27, 2017, by Senior U.S. District Judge Tom S. Lee, to serve 27 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for bribery, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Harold Brittain and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze. He was also ordered to pay a $1500 fine.

In February, 2016, Williams contacted a local businessman and threatened to execute an arrest warrant if the businessman did not pay Williams a sum of money. During the investigation, the FBI determined that the arrest warrant was not valid. The businessman agreed to cooperate with the FBI and Officer Williams was paid a total of $6,000 over three separate days.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Deputy Criminal Chief Patrick Lemon.