Federal prosecutors charged 20 people, including 14 current or former Mississippi Delta law enforcement officers, in a bribery and drug-trafficking scheme that allegedly involved providing armed escorts for suspected drug traffickers and transporting drug proceeds.

Arrests spanned multiple counties and jurisdictions, naming figures such as Washington County Sheriff Milton Gaston, Humphreys County Sheriff Bruce Williams, and Sunflower County Chief Deputy Marvin Flowers, among others.

Officials described the investigation as a concerted effort to shut down corruption within the criminal justice system and to restore public trust.

The case is ongoing, with updates anticipated as investigations progress.

Reporting credit goes to the Associated Press, which contributed to the coverage in 2025.

Roach’s involvement was disclosed recently, confirmed by public records and local school officials.

The local school district has limited information to share and cannot comment further on the criminal investigation.

Authorities planned a major forthcoming announcement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi, though specifics were not released at the time.

The FBI’s Jackson office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office signaled additional details would be unveiled later on Thursday.

Marvin Flowers had not been booked in Sunflower County Jail as of Thursday morning, and his whereabouts were not disclosed.

All those named in the indictments are presumed innocent until proven guilty; investigators indicated further steps but did not specify additional arrests.

The sheriff planned to present a report to the board of supervisors and decide over the weekend whether Flowers would be terminated or placed on leave.

A joint Mississippi Public Safety release reiterated the agencies’ stance against misconduct and highlighted ongoing actions tied to the investigation.

Delta News urged readers to watch the press conference by the U.S. Attorney for full details and updates.

WLBT noted related local crime coverage, including embezzlement cases and other investigative reports, framing a broader regional focus on crime and justice.

The report cited the Associated Press and included statements from federal officials and Governor Reeves.

Roach has been with Memphis-Shelby County Schools since 2018 and remains on administrative leave as the investigation unfolds.

Charges against Amber Holmes and Taquanda Rucker were dismissed, removing them from the case.

Authorities encouraged the public to report corruption evidence to the FBI via 1-800-CALL-FBI or the FBI tip portal.

Haywood described the day as disappointing and stressed the department’s commitment to integrity and accountability.

The coverage emphasizes the scale of the operation and the involvement of law enforcement, highlighting implications for accountability and public trust.

FBI officials stressed a breach of public trust and pledged to address staffing gaps to restore confidence in Delta communities amid concerns about violence and policing scrutiny.

A DOJ statement framed the conduct as pervasive corruption across public offices within the criminal justice system and said the investigation would continue to pursue wrongdoing.

Officials pointed to broader community concerns about corruption, including responses to a recent mass killing in Leland, Mississippi.

The investigation, led by the FBI with aid from the U.S. Marshals Service, is described as multi-year and ongoing, with Prosecutor Mims listed as the case prosecutor.

A correction noted the charges involve individuals from both Mississippi and Tennessee, not solely Mississippi.

The Associated Press contributed to the reporting, with the case handled by federal authorities in Jackson, Mississippi.

Haywood said he was contacted by the FBI before the arrest and suggested more related arrests could occur elsewhere.

Local governments in Humphreys and Washington Counties signaled possible leadership changes in sheriff’s departments as a result of the arrests.

The announcement reflects a coordinated federal-state response to corruption within Mississippi law enforcement.

Attorney General and FBI officials framed the effort as a corrective measure to disrupt drug networks and restore public trust in law enforcement.

Sunflower County Sheriff James Haywood and local officials stressed the damage to public trust and the challenge of restoring credibility in Delta communities.

The arrests were conducted across several Mississippi agencies on Thursday, with specifics not disclosed by the sheriff.

Authorities described the arrests as part of a coordinated effort against illegal drug distribution, though details on agencies and charges were not fully revealed.

Officials emphasized that misconduct undermines the justice system and public trust, noting the inquiry remains ongoing.

Charges also involve a separate incident tied to a Miami trip by one officer and other defendants.

Two indictments were dismissed; those individuals are not currently implicated, and all arrests include bond, with prosecutors to be handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Mims.

A separate indictment charges Jamario Sanford and Marvin Flowers with conspiracy.

The bribery network reportedly extended beyond the Delta into Memphis and Miami, indicating a wider regional operation.

Co-conspirators include individuals with ties to corrections and other roles, such as Marcus Nolan and five others, including Roach and Wiseman.

The arrests coincide with broader U.S. anti-drug efforts, including international actions against traffickers.

Bribes reportedly ranged up to 37,000 dollars, with some payments masked as campaign contributions, and some officers linked to multiple escort operations and Miami trips.

Non-police conspirators from the Memphis area were also arrested, including Roach, Sallis, Wiseman, Lakes, and Wallace.