Former Jones County road foreman, contractor arrested in embezzlement case
JACKSON, Miss. — The Mississippi Office of the State Auditor announced Monday that former Jones County Beat 4 Road Foreman Richard Creel and contractor Tommie Landrum have been arrested in an alleged scheme to steal county property.
According to State Auditor Shad White, investigators believe Creel and Landrum worked together to embezzle county‑owned culverts and move them to a location selected by Landrum. Creel is also accused of urging witnesses to provide false information to investigators in an attempt to obstruct the probe. In a separate allegation, Creel is accused of stealing county fuel for personal use.
“The dedicated team at the State Auditor’s Office work tirelessly to uncover schemes like this one,” White said. “We will continue to work closely with prosecutors to make sure that those who steal taxpayer money are held accountable.”
Jones County District Attorney Brad Thompson praised the investigation and pledged to pursue the case aggressively.
“My office appreciates the work and detailed effort put in on this matter by the Auditor and his staff,” Thompson said. “As the District Attorney for Jones County, I will continue to vigorously prosecute this case and protect our taxpayers’ money.”
Creel faces up to 40 years in prison and $15,000 in fines, while Landrum faces up to 25 years in prison and $6,000 in fines if convicted. Both men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The Auditor’s Office encourages anyone with information about suspected fraud to report it through the red reporting button on the agency’s website or by calling 1‑800‑321‑1275 during business hours.
