Fifth Circuit upholds bribery conviction of former Hinds County sheriff Crisler

A federal appeals court has declined to reverse the bribery conviction of Marshand Crisler, the former interim sheriff of Hinds County, Mississippi. The three-judge panel of the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court affirmed his conviction Tuesday.

Crisler was convicted by a U.S. District Court jury of accepting bribes and providing ammunition to a convicted felon. He was sentenced to 2 ½ years and is serving his sentence at FCI Beckley in West Virginia. He is expected to be released next year, according to court records.

The charges stem from Crisler’s 2021 campaign for Hinds County sheriff. Prosecutors said he accepted $9,500 in bribes in exchange for favors for a former supporter, Tonarri Moore. Moore testified at trial that he had worked with the FBI as an informant and recorded meetings with Crisler used as evidence in the case.

In his appeal, Crisler argued the government entrapped him by exploiting his relationship with Moore and claimed the FBI directed Moore to solicit bribes using money provided by agents. The Fifth Circuit panel rejected this argument, stating the government merely provided Moore with an opportunity to commit the crimes. The court noted evidence showed Crisler was willing to participate, asking Moore for campaign money and discussing specific amounts multiple times.

Federal investigators began their probe in September 2021, after DEA agents raided Moore’s home and discovered drugs and firearms. An FBI agent reviewing Moore’s phone learned that Crisler had contacted Moore the day before. Moore then agreed to wear a wire and recorded conversations with Crisler in Jackson and around Hinds County, during which money was exchanged and requests for favors were made. Moore was also sentenced to four years in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition. His conviction was upheld last year, and he is also expected to be released next year.

Source: Original Article