W. Dewayne Richardson

District Attorney
W. Dewayne Richardson is the District Attorney for the Fourth Circuit Court District of Mississippi.  He was born and raised in the Mississippi Delta in Indianola, Mississippi by two lifelong educators and community leaders John and Annie Richardson.  He holds a bachelors degree in Political Science from Tougaloo College and a Juris Doctorate degree from Mississippi College School of Law both in Jackson, MS. As Richardson’s track record attests, he has always believed in the administration of justice, seeking strict punishments for those who violate the law.  Richardson’s office continuously supports the rights of Victims in the Fourth District and the entire State of Mississippi. Dewayne Richardson joined the District Attorney’s office in 2003 as an Assistant District Attorney for the Fourth District. Dewayne immediately jumped into the prosecution of crimes ranging from drug offenses to capital murder.  In 2005 Richardson began and has represented law enforcement agencies in the seizing and collection of property and currency that were the products of illegal drug trafficking.

Since joining the office he has prosecuted thousands of cases including trying many of those to verdict.  Of the thousands prosecuted, Dewayne has been responsible for prosecuting hundreds of homicide cases including crimes of manslaughter, murder, and capital murder.  A couple of the more memorable cases include State vs. King Young Brown, Jr. and State vs. Benjamin Roberson.  The Brown case was one where the then 15 year-old Brown was convicted of attempting to rape and in the process killing his 6 year-old victim to whom was also his neighbor.  The victim’s body was found days after her family reported her missing wrapped in trash bags in Brown’s family garbage can.  Brown is serving a 50-year sentence.  The Roberson trial stemmed from the report of a 15 year-old girl of her violent rape by a veteran of the local police department.  In that trial the details were brought to light how Roberson detained the victim for truancy violations but instead of booking her into jail violently raped her on the hood of his patrol unit in the freezing rain.  Roberson received the maximum sentence upon his conviction.

In 2007, at 30 years of age, Richardson became the District Attorney elect for the Fourth Circuit Court District.  He was one of the youngest district attorneys ever in the State of Mississippi.  Dewayne is one of twenty-two District Attorneys in Mississippi and his district includes Washington, Sunflower and LeFlore counties.  Along with the help of a stellar prosecution team and support staff the Fourth Circuit Court District Attorney’s Office has constantly fought for and carried the torch for victims and their rights in the Mississippi Delta.

He is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, Magnolia Bar Association, American Bar Association, National Bar Association, Washington and Sunflower County Bar Associations.  Dewayne was a member of the Attorney General’s Crime Lab Task Force Board and he formerly served as President for 2012-2013 for the Mississippi Prosecutors Association.  Dewayne was the first black president for the Mississippi Prosecutors Association which is an organization that advocates and lobbies on behalf of all city, county, and state prosecutors in Mississippi.  He has been a member of the board of directors for the Mississippi Prosecutors Association since 2007.  Dewayne is also a member of the Raspberry Men’s Club and the 100 Black Men of the Mississippi Delta where he currently serves as Vice-President.

Dewayne is a lifelong member of St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church in Indianola, Mississippi.  He is married to Dr. Lakeisha Richardson and together they have three beautiful children: one son Damion, and two daughters Alexis and Kennedy.

Tamicko Fair

District Manager
No stranger to the Delta, Tamicko Ransome Fair was born and reared in Greenville, MS. Tamicko received her Bachelor of Social Work as well a dual Masters Degree in Criminal Justice and Social Work from Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS. She’s licensed to practice Social Work in the State of Mississippi and Tennessee. She is also certified by the Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center as a forensics interviewer.

Presently, Tamicko works as a licensed forensics social worker with the Fourth Circuit Court District Attorney’s Office where she serves as District Manager under the direction of W. Dewayne Richardson. Her professional memberships include the National Association of Social Workers, the MS Chapter of Social Workers and she is a member of the Prosecutors Association where she serves on the Board of Directors. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Greenville Renaissance Scholars and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Tamicko lives by the creed, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”.

Carla Jones

Victim’s Assistance Coordinator
Carla Nicole Jones serves as the Violence Against Women’s Act Victim’s Assistance Coordinator for the Fourth Circuit Court District. She has a total of 5 years of victims’ advocacy experience. Carla earned her Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Delta State University in 2012 and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work degree at Mississippi Valley State University. Her past experience is working with a diverse vulnerable population. Carla understands the importance of ensuring that the rights of victims are protected and that they are aware of the judicial process.

Sandra Reed

Victim’s Assistance Coordinator
Sandra started serving Washington County in 1984 as a Deputy Circuit Clerk. Sandra joined the Office of the District Attorney in 1988 as the Director of the Worthless Check Unit where she worked diligently to implement and ensure compliance with the new bad check laws.  In 2006, Sandra changed her role and began assisting victims and coordinating witnesses in criminal cases. She continues to work as the victim’s assistance coordinator where she serves as an advocate for the victim throughout the criminal justice process. Sandra maintains strong working relationships with public and private agencies that may be able to offer emotional, financial, and other practical needs to ensure that victims of felony offenses receive the support needed as they progress through the criminal justice system.

Tamika Reed

Victim’s Assistance Coordinator
Tamika Reed is a lifelong resident of Sunflower County.  She is married to Pastor Cedric Reed and together they have three children.  She is a very active member of her community and the Church community that her husband pastors.  She is a proud mother of three girls.  The eldest is a graduate of the Mississippi University for Women.  Her middle child is a student at Mississippi Valley State University and the youngest is a student at Lockard Elementary School.

Tijwana Shaw

Victim’s Assistance Coordinator

Tijwana Williams-Shaw is a native of Greenwood, Leflore County, Mississippi and works as the Victim’s Assistance Coordinator for the Leflore County Office of the Fourth Circuit Court District Attorney’s office. Tijwana graduated magna cum laude from Mississippi Valley State University with a Bachelor of Social Work degree and later earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree in 2010. Prior to being employed at the Office of the District Attorney, Tijwana was employed with Corrections Corporation of America where she worked as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor.

She has attended various training programs at the Mississippi School for Addiction Professionals, successfully completed 96 hours of Residential Drug and Alcohol Prevention training, and has attended yearly victim and witness assistance trainings offered through the Mississippi Prosecutors Association in an effort to stay abreast of the current laws and the offerings afforded to victims of felony offenses within the Fourth Circuit Court District. Tijwana works with the District Attorney as well as the Assistant District Attorneys throughout the entire criminal justice process to make certain that victims are notified about the activity of the case and that they understand the process. Tijwana prides herself on assisting each and every victim to ensure that their voices are heard as we assist them in navigating through the judicial system.

Michael Merchant

Investigator
Michael Merchant joined the Washington County District Attorney’s office in 2015 as a criminal investigator.  He has 16 years of law enforcement experience, starting his career in 1999 with the Greenville Police Department in the heart of the Mississippi Delta.  He served as a patrolman and later an investigator until his exit in 2013.  He then joined the Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control as an Agent serving Washington, Bolivar, and Sunflower County until 2015.  He also served as a member of the SWAT team for the Misssissippi ABC.
Michael Merchant is a graduate of O’Bannon High School located in Greenville, MS.  He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Delta State University in Cleveland, MS.  He currently resides in Greenville.

Pamela Miller

Investigator
Pam Miller is a Criminal Investigator with the Fourth Judicial District.  She is a Graduate of Delta State University with a degree in Criminal Justice.  In 1989 Graduated from MLEOTA in Pearl, MS.  Pam Miller has over 27 years of Law Enforcement experience.  She has worked in many areas of Criminal Justice from Patrol Officer, Major Crime Scene Commander, Latent Fingerprint Examiner, to Criminal Investigator.   Pam currently works in the Washington County Office as a Criminal Investigator.

Lewis J. Slay

Investigator
Lewis Slay has served as Criminal Investigator for the Fourth Circuit Court District since 2005.  Slay is an alumnus of the University of Southern Mississippi where in 1974 he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Political Science.  Lewis Slay went on to further his studies at the University of Southern Mississippi where he also received a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration in 1976.  Slay is a native of Hattiesburg, MS.  He has made the Mississippi Delta his home since 1977 when he moved here to join the United States Probation Service for the Northern District of Mississippi.

Lewis Slay retired from the U.S. Probation Department in 2004 after holding the position of Staff Supervisor.  During his entire career, Lewis Slay has been dedicated to the advancement and training of future law enforcement professionals.  He has taught and continues to teach at various universities within the area.  Lewis Slay is married to Dinah Slay and together they have 4 daughters and two grandchildren.

James Payne

Investigator
James A. Payne is a Criminal Investigator for the Fourth Circuit Court District Attorney’s Office in Greenwood, Leflore County, Mississippi. Investigator Payne was born and raised in the MS Delta and has an extensive history of law enforcement experience, as well as an in-depth knowledge of investigatory protocol and techniques. Payne began working in Law Enforcement in 1991 with the Greenwood Police Department until 2000. He then began working at Mississippi Valley State University and was employed as an officer with the MVSU Police Department from 2000-2001. Payne then went on to become a Deputy Sheriff for the Leflore County Sheriff’s Department in Greenwood, MS, where he served as a Deputy Sheriff from 2001-2006. Payne’s knowledge, his investigatory experience, as well as his ability to advise other law enforcement officers led him to the Fourth Circuit District Attorney’s Office in January 2006, where he continues to work as a Criminal Investigator in the Leflore County Office.

Abe McGlothin, Jr.

Assistant District Attorney
Abe McGlothin Jr., is an Assistant District Attorney assigned to the Washington County office located in Greenville, MS. He is a lifelong resident of Greenwood, MS, and graduated from Greenwood High School. Abe graduated from Jackson State University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, concentrating in Legal Studies and attended the University of Mississippi School of Law and received his J.D. in 2012. While in law school, Abe served as president of the Constance Slaughter-Harvey chapter of the Black Law Students Association and was a member of the University of Mississippi School of Law Moot Court Board where he served as the Trial Advocacy Chair. During that time, he competed in several national moot court and mock trial competitions. Abe is a member of a number of professional organizations including the Mississippi Bar Association, the Magnolia Bar Association, and the Mississippi Prosecutors Association.

Takiyah H. Perkins

Assistant District Attorney
Assistant District Attorney Takiyah H. Perkins is a native of the Mississippi Delta.  She was born, raised, and educated in Greenwood Leflore County School District.  She matriculated to the historic Tougaloo College where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science.  ADA Perkins proceeded to further her educational desires by attending University of Mississippi School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate.

While serving at the District Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial District under the leadership of District Attorney W. Dewayne Richardson, ADA Perkins has tried numerous felony cases in Leflore, Sunflower, and Washington Counties.  These felony cases range from drug crimes to capital murders.  Since stationed at the Washington County Office, ADA Perkins has remained dedicated to the community and maintaining justice. She has proven herself to be an aggressive prosecutor who holds defendants accountable for their actions, all while ensuring that their rights are protected and that the victims and families of victims receive justice. During her career as a trial attorney, ADA Perkins has practiced with dignity, integrity, and reverence for the Court.  ADA Perkins is a member of the Mississippi Prosecutors Association where she has served on the board of directors and she currently serves as the Fourth Circuit Court Drug Court liaison in the Washington County office.

John L. Herzog, Jr.

Assistant District Attorney
John L. Herzog Jr. is an Assistant District Attorney for the Fourth Judicial District who works primarily out of the Greenville Office. He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and History. John graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he earned a criminal law certificate with an honors distinction. He is licensed to practice law in Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia and is active in the Mississippi Prosecutors Association, where he has served as a member of the Board of Directors for several years.

Robert Evans

Assistant District Attorney
Robert Evans is an Assistant District Attorney assigned to the Sunflower County office located in Indianola, MS. He attended the Mississippi College School of Law where he received his Juris Doctorate Degree.  Robert Evans has been licensed to practice law in the State of Mississippi since 1980.

Timothy Jones

Assistant District Attorney
Tim Jones is an Assistant District Attorney assigned to the Leflore County office located in Greenwood, MS. Tim Jones received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration from the University of Mississippi.  He later received his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1992.  Tim Jones is a seasoned prosecutor who has been licensed to practice law in the State of Mississippi since 1992.

Patricia “Trish” Rodgers

Assistant District Attorney
Trish Rodgers is a graduate of the University of Mississippi (2005) and the University of Mississippi School of Law (2008). While in law school at Ole Miss, she participated in the Prosecution Function Class in 2007.  As part of the class’s requirements, she worked at the Office of the District Attorney in Greenwood, then held by Joyce Chiles and was under the leadership of then Assistant District Attorney, Brad McCullouch. Trish was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2008 and worked for two years with the Department of Human Services’ Child Support Division. In 2011 Trish and Katie Mills opened Mills and Rodgers, L.L.C., where Trish focused primarily on criminal defense and domestic and property law. She became an assistant district attorney for the Fourth District in September of 2015.

Trish and her husband Erick have been married since 2007 and have three girls. She is a native of Isola, Mississippi and now lives in Greenwood. Trish is a member of the Leflore County Bar Association, First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood and is a Life Member of Greenwood’s Chapter of Junior Auxiliary.