A deputy with the Leflore County Sheriff’s Department was arrested today on federal drug trafficking charges.
Mark Head was arrested by Sheriff Ricky Banks this morning and turned over to federal authorities following an FBI investigation into an alleged attempt to distribute cocaine in Leflore County.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Chad Lamar confirmed that Head had been taken into federal custody on one count of attempted distribution of cocaine.
Lamar said that Head made an initial appearance before federal Magistrate S. Allan Alexander earlier this afternoon in Oxford. Lamar said bond for Head was set this afternoon but said he wasn’t sure if Head had yet posted bail.
Banks said the Leflore County Sheriff’s Department was aware of the FBI’s investigation into Head and cooperated with federal authorities.
The sheriff said that Head had served with the department for about six years but was terminated at the time of his arrest.
“He’s not employed there anymore,” Banks said. “I took his weapon and his badge from him this morning when I arrested him.”
For additional coverage, see Wednesday’s Commonwealth.
• Contact Bryn Stole at 581-7235 or bstole@gwcommonwealth.com.
