Three arrested for Sunday crime spree
Thursday, February 1
On the morning of January 31,2012, investigators with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division arrested Shelby Allen Hines, 19, of 15637 Allie Byrd Road, Ocean Springs; Shawn Lee Rawls, 18, of 12101 Fox Ridge Road, Vancleave; and Aaron Scott Hicks, 19, of 6304 Langland Drive, Ocean Springs. These arrests were made as a result of an investigation of incidents that occurred on Sunday, January 29, 2012; in which the suspects (according to investigators) went through numerous neighborhoods, off of Jordan Road, throwing rocks from their moving vehicle. The rocks caused approximately $1,000 worth of damage to each of eight vehicles. The suspects are also thought to have broken into three vehicles; stealing I-pods, laptop computers, phone and a GPS.
Also during this time, they allegedly stole a five-gallon container of gasoline and set a fire to land on Jim Ramsay Road and at the Jackson County Utility water tower; setting the surrounding field on fire, burning approximately an area of one-quarter acre. Investigators also recovered property from other automobile burglaries that happened within the last month.
Hicks, Hines and Rawls are currently being charged with five counts of felony malicious mischief, two counts of arson, and three counts of commercial burglary of an automobile. Additional charges are pending. Hicks, Hines and Rawls are currently being held at the Jackson County Adult Detention Center pending an initial appearance in County Court. Rawls is currently out on felony bond for grand larceny and burglary, through the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
If convicted, arson carries up to a 20-year sentence and/or $10,000 fine for each count. If convicted of commercial burglary of an automobile, it carries up to a seven-year sentence and/or $10,000 fine for each count. If convicted of felony malicious mischief, it carries a five-year sentence and/or $10,000 fine for each count.
18-month-old critically injured, Baria arrested
Tuesday, January 31 
On January 30, 2012, investigators with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office arrested 34-year-old Matthew Warren Baria on a felony child abuse (causing serious bodily injury) charge. The arrest is the result of an ongoing investigation that started when deputies were called to 7509 Carters Road, in Big Point, on a medical emergency involving an 18-month-old child late Thursday night, January 26, 2012. The child had a severe head injury and was airlifted to the University of South Alabama Children's and Women's Hospital in Mobile, Ala. The child is currently in "very critical condition," according to a press release from Sheriff Mike Byrd.
Baria is currently in the Adult Detention Center and is expected to have an initial appearance on January 31, 2012. The felony child abuse charge carries the penalty of a minimum 10-years sentence and maximum of a life sentence, and a $10,000 fine.
A sibling, a 3 year-old-child, was removed from the home and is in DHS custody.
Attorney General Files Amended Complaint and Updates Review of Pardons
January 19, 2012
Office of Mississippi Attorney General
Attorney General Hood has filed a first amended complaint (copy attached) regarding former Governor Haley Barbour’s purported pardons.
This first amended complaint adds the names of Katherine Robertson, Kirby Glenn Tate, Aaron Brown, Joshua L. Howard, Azikiwe Kambule and John or Jane Does 1-200 to the original complaint against Nathan Kern, David Gatlin, Charles Hooker, Anthony McCray and Joseph Ozment. The defendants are currently identified as John or Jane Doe because the facts related to whether former Governor Barbour issued pardons to them in compliance with Section 124 of the Mississippi Constitution are not yet fully developed. The Attorney General will amend the complaint with specific names as his review progresses.
The Attorney General’s updated review of the 203 purported pardons (on the list as published by the Secretary of State) shows that 156 have NOT met the publication requirements of the State Constitution. One hundred and sixteen had insufficient publication (less than 30 days or less than 30 days prior to pardon) and another 40 (see list below) did not publish at all according to documentation provided by press outlets. Only 21 of the 203 purported pardons have been determined to have sufficient publication (see list below), meaning the Attorney General believes them to have sufficiently met the requirements of the constitution. These 21 persons will not be a part of the upcoming hearing scheduled for Monday, January 23 in Courtroom One of Hinds County Circuit Court. The Attorney General is still processing 26 files, most of which are awaiting verification of publication or non-publication from applicable newspapers.
“The law clearly says the applicant shall publish his or her petition for pardon for thirty days prior to the issuance of the pardon,” said Attorney General Hood. “We are wrapping up our review as quickly as possible, and preparing for Monday’s hearing.
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