Former Webb police chief and Tallahatchie County sheriff’s deputy Randall Scott Ferguson has pleaded guilty to attempting to possess THC and has surrendered his law enforcement certification.
Under the terms of a negotiated deal, Ferguson, 43, of Sumner, entered his plea for attempting to possess “2-10 dosage units” of THC, the compound in marijuana that gives pot its high.
On Oct. 17, in Tallahatchie County Circuit Court for the 2nd Judicial District at Sumner, Circuit Judge Jimmy McClure’s sentence included no prison time, but Ferguson was sentenced to three years of non-reporting probation under the supervision of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Ferguson also was ordered to pay court costs, a $1,000 fine and $100 to a state crime victim’s fund.
As a part of his deal, Ferguson also signed an affidavit permanently surrendering his Mississippi law enforcement certification and credentials to the Mississippi Board of Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. He is barred from ever working again as a law enforcement officer in the state.
Ferguson, indicted June 21 by a Tallahatchie County grand jury impaneled at Sumner, was subsequently arrested and booked June 27 at the Tallahatchie County Jail in Charleston on a charge cited on a jail report to be “conspiracy.”
The arrest docket listed a sheriff’s deputy and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics as arresting officers. Ferguson posted bond and was released within an hour of his arrest.
The indictment had alleged that Ferguson "committed an overt act towards the commission of the crime" on Jan. 25, 2023, by paying a confidential informant who was working with law enforcement $40 in cash money in an attempt to obtain two THC vape pens. The deal was never consummated.
Ferguson had been in law enforcement for more than a dozen years, including stints as an officer in Somerville, Tennessee, and as a member of the West Tennessee Drug Task Force. In Tallahatchie County, he served as patrolman, investigator, assistant chief and chief with the Webb Police Department before being hired as a deputy and investigator for the Tallahatchie County Sheriff’s Office.
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In other recent circuit court news in the 1st and 2nd judicial districts of Tallahatchie County, according to documents on file at the circuit clerk's office:
• Johnnie Lee Martin, 55, of 508 West St., Tutwiler, pleaded guilty to assault of a law enforcement officer and was sentenced by McClure to serve 236 days, then given credit for 236 days served in custody while awaiting trial. Martin was ordered to pay court costs, a $500 fine and $100 to a crime victim’s fund.
• Milton Earl Rushing Jr., 32, of 733 Sturdivant Road, Glendora, pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm, a 9 mm pistol, and was sentenced by McClure to nine years and 80 days. He was given credit for 80 days served in jail while awaiting trial and was sentenced to nine years of probation — five reporting and four non-reporting. He also was ordered to pay $441.50 in court costs, a $1,000 fine and $100 to a crime victim’s fund.
• Corderrius Clearre Morris, 40, of 1576 Pamplin Road, Charleston, pleaded guilty to one count of sale of methamphetamine, 10 grams to 30 grams, and was sentenced by McClure to 30 years of post-release probation — five years reporting and 25 years non-reporting. He was ordered to pay $441.50 in court costs, a $1,000 fine, $1,035 in restitution and $100 to a crime victim’s fund.
Morris also pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamine, more than 10 grams but less than 30 grams, and was sentenced by McClure to serve 10 years imprisonment and to pay $1,300 restitution.
• Reginald Lavantae Houston, 42, of 358 Teasdale Road, Enid, pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm, a .22 rifle, and was sentenced by McClure to 10 years — three to be served and seven on probation, including five reporting and two non-reporting. He was ordered to pay $441.50 in court costs, a $500 fine and $100 to a crime victim’s fund.
