Mississippi university president resigns after prostitution sting arrest

A Mississippi university president resigned Monday after he was arrested in a prostitution sting in central Mississippi.

William Bynum Jr., 57, president of Jackson State University was among more than a dozen people arrested during the weekend, according to a Clinton Police Department news release.

A separate news release from the Mississippi university system on Monday said Bynum submitted his resignation, and it took effect immediately.

Bynum is charged with procuring services of a prostitute, false statement of identity and simple possession of marijuana.

He has been president of Jackson State since 2017 after serving four years as president of Mississippi Valley State University.

The Associated Press left a message Monday with the communications office at Jackson State. The call was not immediately returned.

Clinton Police said the sting included contacting offenders online through “dark web” sites. During that contact services and a location at a local hotel were agreed upon.

The two day operation resulted in 17 arrests with eight felony charges. The arrests spanned multiple charges including prostitution, procuring the services of a prostitute, promoting prostitution, conspiracy to promote prostitution, and various controlled substance violations.

In addition to Bynum, others charged included:

Arrested/Charge(s):

Holly Ann Wheaton, age 35, of Springfield, Tennessee: Prostitution

Steve Hampton, age 57, of Jackson, Mississippi: Promoting Prostitution, Possession of Crack Cocaine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Anthony Bowman, age 48, of Vicksburg, Mississippi: Procuring Services of a Prostitute

Fredrick Robinson, age 41, of Jackson, Mississippi: Promoting Prostitution

Sierra Case, age 23, of Jackson, Mississippi: Prostitution

Sheena Stanford, age 35, of Jackson, Mississippi: Promoting Prostitution

Taylor Ducre, age 30, of Angie, Louisiana: Prostitution and Possession of Cocaine

Eric Jackson, age 34, of Jackson, Mississippi: Promoting Prostitution

Naketa Williams, age 37, of Jackson, Mississippi: Prostitution

Shonda McCarthy, age 46, of Jackson, Mississippi: Procuring Services of a Prostitute and Possession of Marijuana while Operating a Motor Vehicle. McCarthy is listed on the University’s website as a professor and director of the university’s art gallery.

Rosella Brown, age 25, of Canton, Mississippi: Prostitution

Alexis Miller, age 23, of Memphis, Tennessee: Conspiracy to Promote Prostitution

Temeela Palmer, age 31, of Memphis, Tennessee: Prostitution and Conspiracy to Promote Prostitution

Joseph Jones, age 30, of Memphis, Tennessee: Conspiracy to Promote Prostitution

Jesus Porrata, age 31, of Memphis, Tennessee: Promoting Prostitution

SportsPlus

News

This Mississippi university only SEC school in Top 10 ranking of campuses respecting free speech

News

Overdose death at Mississippi prison reported. Unclear if inmate or staffer involved.

News

Judge refuses to reduce prison sentence for Mississippi man who stole $6 million in COVID funds

News

Mississippi man faces up to 40 years in jail after being convicted of kidnapping girlfriend in 2023

News

Court clerk sues Mississippi justice court judge for falsely claiming she was accepting bribes

News

Mississippi man arrested after nearly hitting state trooper while fleeing highway checkpoint

News

Man rescued after being trapped under rail car after train derailment on Mississippi train tracks

News

UPDATE: Phi Delta Theta identified as fraternity placed on interim suspension by University of Mississippi over alleged hazing videos

News

Mississippi man pleads guilty to illegally taking endangered smalltooth sawfish

News

Mississippi company open for half a century announces $40.8 million expansion, 19 new jobs

News

Mississippi wildlife officer, K-9 partner honored for lifesaving effort in rescue of lost children

News

Missing person alert issued for 51-year-old Mississippi woman

News

Mississippi woman killed in mid-day wreck Wednesday

News

Investigation launched after property owner discovers body inside burned car on his land

News

Murder-suicide investigation launched after man, woman found dead at Mississippi residence

News

Police searching for Mississippi man who reportedly physically attacked, killed mother in her house

News

University of Mississippi places fraternity on interim suspension

News

One arrested after more than 2,000 fentanyl pills discovered at Mississippi residence

News

Officials: Former Mississippi teacher faces federal charges after making online threats; explosive material found at house

News

Police issue advisory to residents after black bear spotted in Mississippi downtown area

News

Officials: Trailer stolen four years ago in Florida discoverd during Mississippi traffic stop

News

Man accused of stealing and reselling livestock from a Mississippi ranch

News

Body of Mississippi teen recovered after reported accidental drowning in Pascagoula River

News

Mississippi marketing firm named one of country’s fastest growing private companies