JACKSON, Miss. — Richard Creel, a former Jones County road foreman, and Tommie Landrum, a contractor, pleaded guilty to charges related to embezzlement and conspiracy, the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office announced Thursday.
Creel admitted to one count of embezzlement, while Landrum pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit and accessory before the fact, according to the auditor’s office. The pair engaged in a scheme to steal county-owned culverts and transport the property to a location provided by Landrum.
Both defendants were prosecuted in the Jones County Circuit Court. Creel was sentenced to five years of post-release supervision, ordered to pay $4,925.24 in restitution and $2,927.50 in fines. Landrum was sentenced to five years in prison with two years suspended after three years of non-adjudicated probation, and ordered to pay $2,462.62 in restitution and $2,927.50 in fines.
State Auditor Shad White emphasized the office’s commitment to fighting fraud, stating that the agency has a zero-tolerance policy. Suspected fraud can be reported via the auditor’s website or by calling 1-800-321-1275 during business hours.
