Greenville, MS – District Attorney W. Dewayne Richardson announced that during this term of court Jeremiah Coleman was convicted at trial on an indictment charging him with the illegal possession of a cell phone while Coleman was an inmate at the Washington County Regional Correctional Facility. Following a one-day trial before Judge Ashley Hines in the Washington County Circuit Courtroom, the jury deliberated less than twenty-minutes before returning a Guilty verdict against Coleman.
The illegal cellphone Coleman possessed while he was in the Washington County jail was found during a routine shakedown of the pods where inmates are housed. Not only did deputies with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department uncover Coleman’s cellphone, charger and charging cord, they also found a handwritten note containing names and phone numbers. Deputies were able to link these names and numbers to messages sent from Coleman’s cellphone. A witness also testified about messages they received from Coleman while he was in jail, where Coleman states his name, tells the person he is in jail, and that he is trying to find a good bail bondsman.
The case was tried before the jury by Assistant District Attorneys Austin Frye and Arriel Hutchenson.
The District Attorney’s Office extends its appreciation to the Washington County Sherriff’s Department for their diligence in maintaining a safe and secure correctional facility. Prosecuting attorney, Austin Frye, stated “the investigation and thoroughness of deputy investigator Ronald Mix is the type of work that ensures the jail is safe for other inmates, while also preventing the continuing criminal activity of those inmates who smuggle contraband into the jail.”
The District Attorney’s Office would also like to thank those men and women who appeared, and were willing to serve, as jurors in this case – far too often, lack of participation by those citizens summoned for jury duty prevents trials moving forward, which prevents justice being served for all victims.
Coleman faces a maximum penalty of fifteen (15) years in prison. Sentencing will be held next week in the Washington County Courthouse. Jeremiah Coleman also has a pending Murder charge with the Greenville Police Department stemming from the shooting that occurred during a recent Greenville High Homecoming week. Coleman remains innocent until proven guilty for that charge.