GREENVILLE — Ruleville Police Chief Ronald Robinson and Larry Mitchell, the town's assistant chief, were expected to attend arraignment hearings today on charges of extortion and aiding drug distribution.
The hearings were set for 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 2 at the 329 Federal Building in Greenville.
The two men entered an initial appearance Friday in U.S. District Court here before U.S. Magistrate Jerry Davis.
The chief was released on a $20,000 bond, and the assistant chief was released on a $10,000 bond. Each was assigned a court-appointed attorney.
Robinson, 46, and Mitchell, 33, were arrested by federal agents Friday in separate locations near Ruleville.
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.
Robinson and Mitchell were charged in a sealed indictment, returned July 25 by a federal grand jury. That indictment alleges that in exchange for payoffs, Robinson and Mitchell would allow certain individuals to distribute crack cocaine in the Ruleville area.
The indictment further alleges that Mitchell took cash payments on four different occasions from individuals wanting to distribute drugs in the area. The earliest incident Mitchell is believed involved in was December 2003. T
The indictment also alleges that Mitchell took $700 on March 11, 2005 for not pursuing a criminal charge against an individual to protect drug trafficking activities of a another person, who was distributing crack in the area.
Additionally, on March 18, 2005, Mitchell is alleged to have taken $300 from another person attempting to deal crack. The last incident, according to the indictment, allegedly occurred June 26. Authorities have alleged that Mitchell took $1,800 for not pursuing criminal charges against that crack dealer.
None of the alleged drug dealers or traffickers are named in the indictment.
Robinson is alleged to have taken a total of $3,600 in four separate occasions during 2005 to protect drug dealers. In June 2005, the indictment alleges he also didn't pursue gambling charges against an individual.
None of the individuals are named in those allegations listed against Robinson.
The case is still open, according to Jason Pack of the FBI office in Jackson.
Pack said Friday he didn't know if there would be any more arrests in the case.
If convicted, both men could face a maximum sentence of 40 years and a $2 million fine on the most serious charge.
