Demetrious Fields Sentenced Drug Conspiracy and Other Charges

Demetrious Fields, 42, of Memphis, TN was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Samuel H. Mays, Jr. to 444 months in prison for his role in the Craig Petties Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), announced U.S. Attorney Edward L. Stanton III and Resident Agent-in-Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Memphis office Brian Chambers.

On October19, 2011, Fields pleaded guilty to one count of RICO conspiracy; one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

As outlined in the indictment, Fields was a member of a criminal racketeering enterprise, the Petties DTO, whose members conspired with cocaine traffickers in Mexico, Texas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and elsewhere. As part of the conspiracy, cocaine was prepared, packaged and/or stored, prior to distribution to buyers in "stash houses." The defendant and the co-conspirators used these "stash houses" to avoid detection by law enforcement authorities. It was further part of the conspiracy that the defendants and their co-conspirators sorted, counted, packaged, and stored large amounts of cash derived from the sale of controlled substances in various co-conspirators’ premises in the Western District of Tennessee. The co-conspirators delivered large amounts of currency derived from the sale of cocaine from the Western District of Tennessee and elsewhere to Texas and Mexico. In order to facilitate continued drug trafficking and in order to prevent others from cooperating with law enforcement authorities, it was further part of the conspiracy that the defendant and the co-conspirators did kill other people. Over thirty people have been charged and convicted as part of this investigation.

In addition to the prison sentence, Mays also ordered Fields to serve five years of supervised release and ordered him to pay $33,000 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal prison system.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Service, the Memphis Police Department, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department and the Olive Branch Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David Pritchard on behalf of the government.

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Chester County School Board Calls Meeting

02-01-2013 LEXINGTON, TN - The Chester Co. Board of Education met Thursday night. This special called meeting was to discuss safety options for all schools and to consider plans for facility improvements.

Plans will include six new basketball/tennis courts, the installation of a ten foot fence, and broadening the band practice field from sixty to eighty feet. A walk-way will be placed in the center of these courts leading to a pavilion with public restrooms. A roofed area for viewing games and public gatherings as well as a walking tract will be available. The tract will have all night lighting but the tennis courts will be timed to go off promptly at ten p.m.

The total cost for these additions are projected to be $187,000. The motion to start bids was made and carried.

Construction is to begin May 1, 2013 and resume by mid August of this year.

Concern for the East Chester facility was introduced by Sherry Pipkin. She states that some rooms are dark and damp and not good for the health of the students. She asked that a new tee addition be added on the east side and says that no added property would need to be purchased. The Board agreed to start the bids immediately.

Mrs. Pipkin along with four other board members attended a safety summit in Franklin, TN. They heard from safety coordinators from NY, psychologists from Phoenix,AZ who worked with Columbine School Systems. They learned that securing all front entrances with cameras and buzzer systems is the best way. Training all faculty members including all personnel is second most important. This system will be installed so that the person at the front desk would be able to operate the door from the convenience of her desk. This project is also in agreement with the Board and bids will start soon.

At the conclusion of the official business, the floor is open to the public. The topic of bullying is discussed in great length. Parents verbalized concerns that bullying is still taking place and nothing seems to be done about it. They were then directed to talk with their children's teachers, principal, and the superintendent then the Board until problem is resolved.

The question of school policy came up when a parent stated that he hasn't been notified of problems with his child from the faculty like the manual states.

Members of the Board replied every student is important and that they desire all students to succeed. They have been and will continue to do their best to ensure that all students get a good education in the safest environment and that their goal is to see each one succeed.

A copy of the Student Discrimination/Harassment and Bullying/Intimidation and Cyberbullying is provided to all parents requesting it.

Former Madison County Commissioner Dale Jamieson Passes Away

OBITUARY http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/jacksonsun/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&;pid=162760844#fbLoggedOut

RESOLUTION HONORING DALE JAMIESON

Loyd Dale Jamieson (1917 - 2013)

It is with profound sorrow that the family of Loyd Dale Jamieson report his passing on January 30, 2012.

Dale was born July 17, 1917 on his family's farm in Cherry Valley, Cross County, AR. Dale was a decorated combat veteran who served in the United States Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theatre of operation, from May of 1941 until the war's end in January of 1946, when he was discharged as a Master Sergeant.

Dale was joined in marriage with Odum Burrow in November of 1940, and was blessed with her love and companionship for fifty-five years until her passing in 1995. Dale was further blessed with the love and companionship of Johnnie Pat Irvine, as his devoted wife for eight years until her passing in 2007.

Dale loved his community and West Jackson Baptist Church, where he was an active and lifelong member. He was widely known and respected for his involvement and devotion to community and public service. Dale founded the Jackson-Madison County Humane Society, where he served as President for many years and later was honored to serve a President of the Tennessee Humane Society.

Dale was elected as a Madison County Commissioner in 1982 and served in a number of capacities until his retirement in 1998. His tireless contributions included serving as Chairman of the Law Enforcement Committee, the Jackson-Madison County Airport Authority Board and the Council on Aging. Dale was particularly honored to be recognized for his meritorious public service by the Joint Resolution of the Tennessee House of Representatives and Senate passed in the One Hundred Fifth session of the Tennessee General Assembly.

Dale is survived by his sister, Lois Jamieson Perkins of Wynn, AR; his daughter, Joye Jamieson and son, E. Dale Jamieson and his daughter-in-law, Mary Treila Roby Jamieson, all of Collierville, TN. He is also survived by his grandson, Patrick Dale Biggert and his wife Brittany Perkins Biggert, and granddaughter, Shannon E. Izquierdo and her husband Tony, and his two great-grandchildren, Cruz and Cecilia Izquierdo, all of Collierville.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2012 at 1 p.m., in the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons, with visitation beginning at 11:30 a.m. through service time. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Ridgecrest Cemetery.

George A. Smith and Sons North Chapel, (731) 427-5555

School Board Votes to Offer Three-Year Contract to Verna Ruffin

01-31-2013 Jackson, TN – Jackson Madison County School Board votes unanimously to offer a 3-year employment contract to Tulsa OK Assistant Superintendent Verna Ruffin.

If accepted Ruffin will be only the second female and the first African American to hold the job of Jackson Madison County Director of Schools.

After the board narrowed the search from three to one candidate then seven of the nine school board members traveled to Tulsa for an exploratory trip of Ruffin's current hometown. Board members interviewed professional colleagues, supervisors, sub-ordinates, and community members, all of whom have had the opportunity to work with Ruffin. The interviews were all arranged by Ruffin with input from JMCS board members as to who they would like to meet.

Upon returning, board members all had glowing compliments about Verna Ruffin.  They described the information gathered from the trip as highly complimentary and without exception not one person had a negative opinion or could even name a fault of the candidate.

According to board members, the people they interviewed described Ms Ruffin as a “strong leader”, “someone who would lead you to water and you would want to drink”, “will make decisions but also get input from staff”, “no nonsense leader”, having a “passion for education”.

Members said the reception they received in Tulsa was warm and friendly, district leaders “went the extra mile” to see to it that the board had all they needed and were taken care, according to board chair David Clifft.

After some discussion about the trip and details of interviews Clifft proposed a motion to offer Verna Ruffin a contract and ask the board, if they approved, to make a motion.

The motion read:

“Employ Verna Ruffin as our superintendent of schools (also known as director of schools), effective July 1, 2013 for a term of three years ending June 30, 2016, contingent on development of an employment contract approved by six or more members of this board and subsequently accepted by Ms. Ruffin”

Motion – Jeffery Head, Second – Joe Mays, Unanimously Approved

Board member Maria Mitchell was one of two board members who did not make the trip.  After the meeting Mitchell talked about how the report from those members who visited Tulsa affected her decision

AUDIO JMC School Board Member Maria Mitchell

George Neely was the only board member not to vote for a candidate in the search. Neely did participate in the visit. He came back convinced to support Ruffin

AUDIO JMC School Board Member George Neely

A committee will prepare a proposed employment contract and will begin employment negotiations.

The board will meet again February 12, for the regular session with their work session falling on the Monday before at 6:00.