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.
Creel pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement, while Landrum pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit and being an accessory before the fact. The scheme involved stealing county-owned culverts and transporting them to a predetermined location provided by Landrum, according to authorities.
Both men were prosecuted in 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 to serve, with two years suspended after three years of non-adjudicated probation, and was ordered to pay $2,462.62 in restitution and the same amount in fines.
The Mississippi State Auditor’s office emphasized its commitment to fighting fraud and encouraged the public to report suspected cases by clicking a red button on its website or calling 1-800-321-1275 during business hours.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
