McClinton Pleads Guilty to Hopewell Church Arson

Greenville, MS – On March 28, 2019, Washington County Circuit Judge Margaret Carey-McCray accepted the guilty plea of Andrew McClinton, 47 years of age, for the arson that destroyed the Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church. McClinton will be sentenced during the week of April 29, 2019.

The investigation of the church burning began in the evening hours of November 1, 2016, the Greenville Fire Department responded to a 911 call for a fire at the Hopewell Church on Delesseps Street. Upon arrival, they found the church fully engulfed in flames. Local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies began their investigations into the fire and over the course of a several weeks long investigation developed McClinton as a suspect in the arson. The investigation resulted in the collection of cell phone records and video surveillance that tied McClinton to the scene. In December 2016, McClinton gave a confession to law enforcement in which he admitted to setting the fire in the church using the church’s electrical wires to light the carpet on fire. The church was completely destroyed in the fire.

McClinton had been previously convicted of a 2004 Armed Robbery and a 1997 Attempted Armed Robbery, with both convictions occurring in Lee County, Mississippi. McClinton will be sentenced as a Habitual Offender in light of his previous felony convictions.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys John Herzog Jr. Kaylon McCou, and Austin Frye. Herzog said that “without the dedicated and diligent teamwork of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies striving to attain justice, this painful chapter in the long history of the Hopewell M.B. Church could not have been closed. Those members of the public who assisted law enforcement deserve a special note of recognition and praise, this case could not have been closed and McClinton brought to justice without their valuable assistance,” Herzog further said.

The case was investigated by the Greenville Fire Department, the Greenville Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office. Local businesses and citizens also provided valuable assistance to law enforcement during the course of the investigation.

District Attorney W. Dewayne Richardson states, “The Office of the District Attorney is elated to bring closure to a single incident that gave a black eye to the Queen City of the Mississippi Delta. Through McClinton’s selfish actions, he brought national attention to our community. On today, McClinton admitted guilt before Circuit Court McCray and he will soon be sentenced for his actions.”

Contact: W. Dewayne Richardson District Attorney, Fourth Circuit Court District | 662-378-

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resources

Attorney General

www.ago.state.ms.us

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The mission of the District Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Circuit Court, under the direction of
W. Dewayne Richardson, is to seek justice in order to maintain an environment of safety, security and lawful behavior for the citizens of the Fourth District.

The Office of the District Attorney uses lawful and reasonable methods to successfully identify and prosecute those who commit felony crimes. When a crime occurs, the Office of the District Attorney diligently pursues the indictment and conviction of those responsible, while adhering to all rights of the Victim, ensuring the victim is being provided all direct services applicable, and acknowledging all constitutional safeguards for the accused.

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Greenville MS 38702
[P] 662.378.2105
[F] 662.332.4665
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Indianola, MS 38751
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Greenwood, MS 38935
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Citizen's Involvement in the criminal justice system typically begins with them being a victim, witness, or defendant of a crime. Arrests are made generally by a judge-issued warrant or by a police officer observing a crime in process. Law enforcement may also arrest someone if it has probable cause to believe the person committed a criminal offense. When individuals are arrested they are routinely advised of their Miranda Rights upon arrest, advising them that they have the right to remain silent and that anything they say will be used against them in court. On being questioned, defendants have the right to have their attorney present or to have one appointed if they are indigent.

Felony defendants appear at a first appearance and have the charges reviewed. A judge will inquire if the defendant has an attorney. If low income, the defendant may qualify for a court-appointed lawyer. No plea is entered at this time unless the defendant wishes to plead guilty or waives indictment and has an attorney present. All felony cases are presented to a grand jury in the county that the crime was committed. In the State of Mississippi, only a grand jury has the authority to indict an individual for a felony offense and require them to stand trial for the charges alleged in an affidavit and indictment.

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