Clinton police arrest 8 suspected gang members in chop shop bust
Clinton police believe eight people arrested in connection to multiple crimes in the Jackson area are affiliated with the Simon City Royals gang.
According to the Clinton Police Department, at 11:38 a.m. on Thursday, officers responded to a tip regarding suspicious activity on Cherry Stone Circle in the Cherry Park Subdivision in Clinton. When they arrived, they found what appeared to be the makings of a potential chop shop and storage facility for stolen property.
After securing a search warrant, investigators entered the property and found a stolen property from all over the metro area, including from Brandon, Byram, Terry, Jackson and Vicksburg. Three automobiles and two motorcycles were also among the stolen property, CPD spokesman Josh Frazier said.
"They were sanding down and painting the vehicles, taking off the VIN numbers and changing the appearances," Frazier said.
During the initial search of the property, CPD also discovered illegally obtained prescription drugs and a small cache of firearms. Some of the firearms had been illegally altered to not comply with federal laws. Frazier said those included a sawed-off rifle.
Charges against the eight suspects include felony possession of a firearm, illegal possession of prescription drugs, conspiracy to possess stolen property, receiving stolen property, cooperation of a chop shop and numerous outstanding felony warrants.
Additionally, the suspects are being investigated for suspected criminal activity in the areas from where the stolen property is believed to have come. The ATF has opened an investigation for federal firearms charges.
Frazier said it doesn't appear that the chop shop had been in operation for long.
"It seems to have been going on for just a couple of weeks," he said.
These subjects are believed to be members of or otherwise affiliated with the Simon City Royals gang. Frazier said some of their tattoos indicated some affiliation with the gang, which is known to be heavily involved in the dealing of illegal drugs and other contraband. All but two of the suspects are convicted felons past crimes that include burglaries, theft, larcenies, and drug sales and possession. Frazier said additional arrests and charges could be forthcoming pending completion of the investigation.
In a May article, The Sun Herald's Robin Fitzgerald and Margaret Baker wrote that a 2010 state gang assessment documented 1,217 Royals in Mississippi. By 2014, the number of Royals statewide grew to nearly 2,000.
Arrested and charged by CPD:
- Sarah Roberson of Clinton, 29 y/o WF - Four (4) counts of Receiving Stolen Property - One (1) count CHOP SHOP ALTERED PROPERTY - One (1) count CONSPIRACY - One (1) count of possession of a schedule II c/s; Oxycodone - One (1) count of possession of a schedule IV c/s; Xanax.
- Michael Lewis of Clinton 24 y/o WM - Four (4) counts of Receiving Stolen Property - One (1) count CHOP SHOP ALTERED PROPERTY - One (1) count CONSPIRACY to receive/possession of stolen property- One (1) count of possession of weapon by convicted felon - OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANT with the Hinds County Sheriff's Office.
- Travis Williams of Jackson 30 y/o WM - One (1) count CHOP SHOP ALTERED PROPERTY - One (1) count of Receiving Stolen Property - One (1) count CONSPIRACY receive/possession of stolen property
- Perry Bolton of Richland 33 y/o WM - One (1) count CONSPIRACY receive/possession of stolen property - OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANT with Byram PD.
- Jared Cook of Jackson, MS 32 y/o WM - One (1) count CONSPIRACY receive/possession of stolen property
- Echo Funderburk of Jackson 31 y/o WF - One (1) count CONSPIRACY receive/possession of stolen property - One (1) count of Receiving Stolen Property - OUTSTANDING FELONY WARRANT with MDOC PROBATION VIOLATION
- Emily Summers of Florence 22 y/o WF- One (1) count of Receiving Stolen - One (1) count CONSPIRACY receive/possession of stolen property
- Ashley Goodson of Jackson 22 y/o WF - One (1) count CONSPIRACY receive/possession of stolen property