With four correctional officers in custody for their alleged involvement in a recent escape, Sheriff Jeremy McCoy said his department’s investigation has uncovered a ring of corruption within the local jail.
“A whole shift was in on this,” McCoy said. “Now, we got a whole shift gone. But it was employees allegedly involved in the escape plan.”
The employees charged with the escape plan include Edward Moore, Xzavia Shelby, Jkwon Jefferson and Tavashea Holmes.
And Chief Deputy Kenny Lewis said the investigation led to another jail employee being arrested for her alleged involvement in a separate issue.
Nequina Adams was also charged with smuggling contraband into the jail.
The escape plan unfolded on March 24 at the Yazoo County Regional Correctional Facility when four inmates escaped from the facility. Three of the four inmates who escaped have since been captured by local authorities. But one inmate remains on the run with investigators asking for the public’s assistance in reporting his possible whereabouts.
The four reported missing from Sunday’s escape included Marlon Willis of Madison, Tenn.; and Glen Bassett, Marcus Green and Deliuwon Stowers, all from Yazoo.
As of press time, Bassett was the only escapee remaining on the run.
McCoy said it appeared as if a door was breached leading into the outside perimeter of the facility.
“The outside door was breached by the jail staff, not the inmates,” McCoy said. “The inmates padded themselves with extra clothing to be able to cross over the barbed wire fence. They were able to get over the first fence. And then, with the extra padding of the clothing, they were also able to get over the second fence with the razor wire.”
Bassett, who remains on the run, has made headlines in the past with a variety of criminal activities. In May of 2022, The Herald reported Bassett’s arrest by the local sheriff’s department for allegedly stealing several pieces of equipment from a Yazoo County hunting camp. He was charged with grand larceny and felony fleeing.
At the time of Bassett’s 2022 arrest, Bassett was apprehended by Rankin County authorities for felony possession of a firearm. A hold was placed upon him, and he was brought back into Yazoo County.
McCoy discussed the matter with the Yazoo County Board of Supervisors during its open meeting Monday morning. County leaders encouraged him to set an example with the employees and their alleged corruption.
“We need to throw the book at them,” said Supervisor Joseph Thomas Jr.
Anonymous tips on Bassett’s possible whereabouts can be phoned to 662-746-0014. McCoy said there is a reward of $1,000 in the event of his arrest.
