Mississippi District Attorney Enters Guilty Plea Amid Bribery Scandal
The district attorney of Hinds County, Jody Owens, pleaded guilty on Monday to a federal conspiracy charge and announced his resignation following a bribery scandal involving officials in Jackson.
Owens admitted to one count of conspiracy, which could lead to a five-year prison sentence, fines up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release. He previously faced allegations that emerged from an FBI investigation in 2023. Former Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba and ex-City Councilman Aaron Banks were also charged in connection with the case. A federal grand jury indicted Owens in October 2024.
On his Facebook page, Owens indicated that he plans to retire on July 1. He expressed that his decision was one of the toughest he’d made and mentioned the emotional toll of leaving a position he valued. “This is in the best interest of me, my family, and the District Attorney’s Office,” he wrote.
Interestingly, this shift marks a reversal from his earlier stance. Since the indictment in 2024, he had denied any wrongdoing, referring to the investigation as “a horrific example of a flawed FBI operation” and “an assassination attempt on my character,” as reported by Magnolia Tribune.
Prosecutors’ case stemmed from a sting operation that began in the fall of 2023. Court documents indicate that Owens facilitated meetings with undercover FBI agents who posed as developers interested in a hotel near the Jackson Convention Complex. Subsequently, hotel plans were filed by The Contour Companies and Facilities Solution Team, allegedly connecting Owens’ relative, Sherrick “Marv” Smith, to the deal.
Just nine days after the sting operation began, Owens registered a company called Facility Solutions Team LLC, effectively putting himself in a position to push the hotel proposal through city channels. Prosecutors claim that he funneled at least $115,000 to himself for his role and over $80,000 to other officials.
The indictment alleges that during a yacht trip off Fort Lauderdale, Owens and the operatives presented Lumumba with $50,000 in checks disguised as donations. Meanwhile, Owens reportedly collected an additional $50,000 in cash during the same trip. He also managed payments to other individuals involved.
According to court documents, undercover agents provided $60,000 in cash by February 2024, with Owens receiving $25,000. He stated intentions to hide funds in a safe at the District Attorney’s Office, reflecting a rather reckless mindset.
In May 2024, a federal investigation uncovered cash concealed within a counterfeit U.S. Constitution, further complicating matters. The indictment mentioned that some invoice serial numbers matched the sums paid during the operation.
Experts have commented on the evidence against Owens, describing it as “strong and unflattering.” Meanwhile, both Lumumba and Banks maintain their innocence as they prepare to face trial in mid-July. The former mayor’s bid for re-election in 2025 fell short, and Banks has chosen not to seek another term.
As the legal proceedings continue, both Lumumba and Banks remain presumed innocent. Owens is currently out on bond and is set to be sentenced on October 15, according to the Magnolia Tribune.
