Grand jury hears case on yearlong investigation by UPD
Eight people have been charged in a possible sex crimes investigation that began over a year ago.
On July 14, Newton County’s grand jury held its first meeting since the Covid-19 Pandemic began earlier in the year and returned indictments on the suspects.
In June 2019, Union Police Department made a traffic stop that initiated the original investigation, according to the department’s statement on Facebook.
“Later, Union Police Department was made aware of a possible sexual relationship between adult males and minor female(s). Chief Billy Pat Walker instructed UPD to conduct an investigation to determine the depths of the sexual relationship(s) that were purportedly taking place.
“In July of 2019, the Union Police Department sought the assistance of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. For the next year, Union Police Department and the MBI interviewed multiple witnesses, victims, and suspects. Through the course of the interviews, evidence and probable cause was obtained to begin making arrests and charging the various suspects with Statutory Rape and/or Sexual Battery.
“In the latter part of the investigation, it was determined that additional charges may be brought forth as a result of the evidence obtained and the interviews conducted. A meeting was set up with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI determined that it would look into the investigation to determine if there would be any additional charges to come forth as a result of the ongoing sex crimes investigation in Union, MS.”
The following suspects were arrested and charged as a result of the sex crimes investigation:
• Derrick Machun Amos-multiple counts Statutory Rape
• Anthony Quintell Arrington-multiple counts Statutory Rape
• Kendrick Allen Green-multiple counts Statutory Rape
• Adrian DeMarcus Jackson-multiple counts/multiple counties Statutory Rape
• Lakeevis Travon Jackson-multiple counts Statutory Rape
• Troy Alexander Klein-multiple counts Statutory Rape
• Charleston Santita McDonald-multiple counts/multiple counties Statutory Rape
• Joshua Luke Smith-Sexual Battery
“While the Newton County Grand Jury has been presented with the first fruits of the sex crimes investigation, the investigation is ongoing and other interviews, charges, and arrests are expected in the future,” the statement continued.
Anyone with information regarding the sexual exploitation of children is encouraged to call 911, your local Police Department, your local Sheriff’s Department, or the National Hotline for Human Trafficking: 1-888-373-7888.
