RULEVILLE - The police chief and assistant chief of police in this town of 3,234 were arrested on drug and extortion charges early today.
Ruleville Police Chief Ronald Durelle Robinson, 46, and Assistant Chief of Police Larry Mitchell, 33, were arrested at separate locations near the town by FBI agents.
Robinson is charged with one additional extortion-related count and four counts of attempting to aid the possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
A federal indictment named Mitchell in one additional extortion count and two counts of attempting to aid in the possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, according to a statement released by the FBI today.
Robinson and Mitchell were charged in a sealed indictment, returned July 25 by a federal grand jury.
"These charges are a result of a three-year investigation of Robinson and Mitchell," said Special Agent Jason Pack of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Jackson.
"At this time, we do not know if there will be any other arrests in the case," said Pack.
The case is still open, he said.
The indictment charges claim that from Dec. 2003 to June 2006, Robinson and Mitchell, while acting in their official capabilities as Ruleville police chief and assistant chief, conspired to extort cash payoffs in exchange for providing protection for alleged crack cocaine dealers and other individuals.
Robinson and Mitchell were transported to the United States Courthouse in Aberdeen for an initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Jerry Davis.
If convicted, both men could face a maximum sentence of 40 years and a two million dollar fine on the most serious charge.
