June 30, 2025 – State Auditor Shad White Monday announced that Carvelle Russell, a former Panola County Road Department employee, pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of public funds.
Between June 2024 and September 2024, Russell took a fuel card assigned to a Panola County Road Department vehicle and used it to purchase fuel for his own personal vehicle.
“Our team of investigators work tirelessly to uncover schemes like this,” said State Auditor Shad White. “We will continue to work alongside prosecutors to deliver record results for Mississippians.”
Carvelle Russell
Russell was prosecuted in the Panola County Circuit Court. Russell was sentenced to one day incarceration in MDOC with ten years post release supervision and has been ordered to pay $1,100 in fines and $9,546.37 in restitution.
Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office at any time by clicking the red button on the Auditor’s website or calling 1-(800)-321-1275 during normal business hours.
Bob Bakken provides content for DeSoto County News and its social media channels. He is an award-winning broadcaster, along with being a reporter and photographer, and has done sports media relations work with junior and minor league hockey teams. Along with his reports on this website, you will find this veteran media member providing sports updates and high school football play-by-play on Rebel 95.3 FM Radio.
