Jackson Free Press

WAPT is reporting that Jeremy Bibbs, who lives with Mayor Frank Melton when he is not in college, has been arrested for carrying a gun on the campus of Copiah-Lincoln Junior College in Wesson, where he is a running back on the football team. Bibbs, who is being held at the Copiah County Detention Center, has lived with Melton since he was arrested for selling 3.9 grams of crack cocaine in August 2003. He is a former football star at Northwest Rankin High School.

Bibbs was present for several interviews the JFP's Donna Ladd conducted last April with Melton in his home at 2 Carter's Grove in Northeast Jackson; also present were felon Christopher Walker (whose bond was soon revoked for failing almost a dozen drug tests during the period he was staying in Melton's home), as well as a number of young men in their teens and 20s. Melton told the JFP then that Bibbs' mother cleans his home and is the other adult often in his home who provides supervision to the young men who live there.

Previous Commentsshow

Leave Frank alone. At least he's trying to do something about crime. After all, he's the one who really cares about the city.

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

snicker...

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

I swear, nobody could make this sh!t up.

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

I wonder if frankie will let Jeremy borrow his "Danks-Co Dream Team"? Afterall, it's the least he could do.

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

I remember this story a few years ago. Bibb should've been in jail then and he should be in jail now. If I remember correctly he was going to get a pass from the school system til everyone raised hell about it.

Kingfish

Dec 12 2006

Who would want to make such stuff up?!? I do wonder where Mr. Bibbs got the gun. And does getting caught with a gun mean that his plea deal will be revoked? It would for most people. Apparently, selling that much crack could have brought him 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine before Melton negotiated a deal with Rankin D.A. David Clark to keep him out of jail. Looks like he was supposed to have gone to a boot camp at Parchman, but that Melton got him into that Hunt-Chamberlain military academy instead. We'll have to confirm specifics of that tomorrow. I will say that Mr. Bibbs seemed very friendly and a bit shellshocked. I felt a lot of compassion for him when I met him. It seemed he had been through a lot. It strikes me that he needed a better level of help that he likely got on Carter's Grove. But I doubt anybody has paid any attention—at least until they get in trouble again. Then they're all over the news. The first night I saw Mr. Bibbs, he was upset that someone had stolen his car, I think. I'll have to listen to those tapes to see what exactly was said. And for the record, he was one of the young men who seemed absolutely befuddled when Mr. Melton put the badge on dog Abby's collar. "He just put a badge on a dog," one of the young men said to him as he laughed and shook his head. 'Twas an intriguing night.

DonnaLadd

Dec 12 2006

I may be wrong, 'Fish, but I don't think he's spent any time in jail. Mr. Melton negotiated with D.A. Clark in Rankin to keep him out of jail by letting him live in his house, and attend Hunt-Chamberlain as I understand it. More soon.

DonnaLadd

Dec 12 2006

"Who would want to make such stuff up?!?" Somewhere in Hollywood, there's writer who won't sleep tonite because they're worried about losing their job.

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

Yeah, but if they pitched the story of Frank Melton, the director would say, "No way, no one would believe such a character could be real." Or, I might add, that he could fool (almost) an entire city for so long, not to mention the press corps.

DonnaLadd

Dec 12 2006

Yeah. Where did the gun come from? Who did he learn his gun-totin'-at-school habits from? If you run the serial# on the gun who will it come back to?

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

We are in the MeltonLight Zone.

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

I didn't say he was in jail. just he should've been in jail or actually I think he should've been in a controlled environment of some sort. I don't think C-H was a bad idea. However, it apparently did not work. I'm getting tired of the you win some and lose some arguement on these kids. If this was foster care someone would be looking at it more closely.

Kingfish

Dec 12 2006

I need to put these excuses on this thread before those idiots start regurgitating them in the Ledger: 1. "Let the man do his job..." 2. "If everyone would just leave him alone, and 'let' him do his job, he could stop crime in Jackson..." 3. "Let the man do what he was elected to do..." 4. "He operates 'outside the box'..." 5. "He really 'cares' about Jackson..." 6. "Go Frank, Go!" 7. "Well, he's still learning on the job..." 8. "Harvey Johnson Sucks!!!" 9. "The JFP Sucks!!!" 10. "This is all politically motivated..." 11. "Well, at least he's trying to do something..." 12. "The Clarion Ledger has a vendetta, and they suck too..." 13 "OK, he's made some mistakes along the way, but these thugs are out of control..." 14. "It's all one big plot out to get Frank and to help the thugs..."

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

I agree with you, 'Fish. Clearly, he's taking in kids who need help to one degree or another. The big-ass question, though, is whether they are coming out in worse condition than they went in in many cases, and who is watching what he is doing there. Col. Don Taylor, apparently, is a good friend of Melton's, as he said recently on Kim Wade's show. Who is looking out for the welfare of these kids. I'm getting a little sick of the argument that their parents put them there, so the state has no responsibility. I call bullsh!t on that notion. It sounds more to me like these are kids that no one wants to take responsibility for helping—and so Melton's house is a handy hideaway for them, regardless of how good that works out for them. Then, of course, he takes them out into dangerous situations himself and allegedly even orders them to commit serious felonies. Who is going to step up and take responsibility for this situation? It's time for the handwrining and excuse-making on behalf of Melton to end. This is the sound resident of his home in one week to get arrested for a crime involving a gun. It's time for the public to start giving a damn about this mess.

DonnaLadd

Dec 12 2006

15. Don't forget the so-called "political feud" with the district attorney as the Lapdog Ledge mischaracterized the situation recently. This is her fault.

DonnaLadd

Dec 12 2006

"He operates 'outside the box'..." Damn; this is easy.

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

Yup to .15

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

.16 The NRA is out to get Frank... .17 The ACLU is out to get Frank...

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

I wonder if Recio saw Jeremy put his?

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

gun somewhere?

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

You left out: Cliff Gargill needs attention.

Kingfish

Dec 12 2006

Cargill ***hole.

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

18. The NAACP is out to get Frank.

DonnaLadd

Dec 12 2006

Does SafeCity know about the Rankin DA deal? How dare a DA from any other county besides Hinds make a deal for a two bit, cocaine using/selling, gun slinging thug! Can we get a ten part study on why the DA in Rankin is letting criminals out onto the streets using data from 4 year ago? I wonder what bail-bondsman he was supposedly sleeping with? I expect the Ledge to begin a editorial campaign to besmudge the work of the Rankin Co. DA's office, full of wonderful hyperbole and suppos'in. Just another case of Broken "Metro" Justice. Maybe, he's been getting a lot threats on his life?!? He thought the Castle Law extended to dorm rooms! Ol Frankie should be able to help him work a plea deal for a misdemeanor... being old hat and all...

pikersam

Dec 12 2006

All right, be nice, 'Fish and Cliff. Time for a group hug. After all, y'all pretty much agree on this topic, and frankly lots of other ones. ;-)

DonnaLadd

Dec 12 2006

Bennie Thompson, Peterson, and others are mad at Frank over his firing the lobbying firm and costing him money. Reason number 19.

Kingfish

Dec 12 2006

I meant over on MS Politics that is what they post about Cliff.

Kingfish

Dec 12 2006

I race people as clean as they race me Donna.

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

My Bad....

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

Sorry Kingfish...sincerely

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

I think we all know Clark is nuts and a loose cannon as well as a showboat. He and Melton working together in the same county would be VERY scary

Kingfish

Dec 12 2006

Well, they don't call it SafeCounty, you know. They didn't form in order to ensure that Rankin County officials look bad, you know. Broken "Metro" Justice. LOL. Nice post, Pike.

DonnaLadd

Dec 12 2006

Oh, and please delete my rush to judgement up there as you see fit.

Cliff Cargill

Dec 12 2006

Bibbs' parents were both drug dealers while he was growing up. Anybody that knows him knows that. His dad was a big-time dealer in the Jackson/Flowood area. Jeremy was cut a deal by revealing 10 other people at his HS that were known dealers/regular users, and by agreeing to go to the military school. He was also a help in finding the Southeaster super-dealer/bossman that was known as "Superman" that was arrested in the summer of '05. Despite my disgust for Melton, he has done alot for Jeremy to help him out.

rebfan04

Dec 12 2006

You'd think Jeremy would recall that little bit about not carrying guns. Details! Focus on those....

Ironghost

Dec 12 2006

Despite my disgust for Melton, he has done alot for Jeremy to help him out. rebfan I'll agree with you there rebfan. Melton is good to a lot of kids. However, it is hard to tell if he is actually teaching them right from wrong? That is key to helping troubled children. Just in this year alone several of the kids associated with Melton have gotten in trouble with the law. At some point, one has to wonder if Melton is truly helping these kids besides providing a better shelter and some cash or school money? That is clearly not enough. Jeremy was cut a deal by revealing 10 other people at his HS that were known dealers/regular users, and by agreeing to go to the military school. rebfan I wonder if that quarterback at Madison Central will "have to go" to military school for his possession of steroids? He too is snitching on the dealers and others just like Jeremy did. Hmmm?

pikersam

Dec 12 2006

O.K. I have to say I'm starting to sway away from FM. The search is on for who is going to replace him... Who will it be?

colby

Dec 12 2006

As Frank's 'boys' continue to be arrested and re-arrested, it does once again, bring up the fact of how North Jackson's crime has soared since he took office! Could it be that Frankie 'brought' the new criminal element IN and now the crime stat's are providing 'truth' to the possibility?

Katie D

Dec 12 2006

Katie, noticing that the crime rate has soared might be racist to someone.

Ironghost

Dec 12 2006

Huh?

DonnaLadd

Dec 12 2006

Colby, There is one who has not been completely smeared by the popular press, particularly radio, (both black and white) who is trained for the job and that is Marchand Chrisler. He has a Masters in Public Administration, is a Captain in the Army, an eight year elected City Official (6 served), and is truly a sworn law enformencent officer. He thoroughly understands the drug problem and has worked for the county a long time. This would give him unique insight into bridging some of Jackson's problems. His methods with financial matters would be consistent and planned. He is a family man and a church man and enjoys support in many areas of the City. He must be feared by some as the 'whisper campaign' has begun to smear him with being 'on the take'. I do not believe he could maintain either his security clearance with the Guard nor his status as a law enforcement officer if this were true. He is young and energetic and would go a long way toward righting our ship of state. We are listing, no doubt, currently. I do not believe he would object to 'naming' his team to head City Departments PRIOR to being elected.

ChrisCavanaugh

Dec 12 2006

Ironghost, One of the boys on the mobile command unit that fateful night in August was a Russian. I believe some of the former houseguests have been white; just none of the Wood Street ones. I don't think of crime stats as racist. They probably just reflect the makeup of the City's youth. But even though most of the drop-outs and young criminals are black, stating this fact certainly should not label one as racist; just a realist. There is no room for political correctness in conquering crime nor in preventing terrorism, IMHO.

ChrisCavanaugh

Dec 12 2006

I like Marshand. I'd go to combat with him anytime. I know his family very well. Having said that, he's not the best candidate. None of his experience has really been in governing or acting as a corporate executive, which this job really is. You need to understand politics but also how to act as a corporate CEO and he simply does not have the experience for that. A Master's is very good however, it is no subsitute for experience as many posters on this site could tell you. Ray could've been the best cop in the world, shined in law school, clerked at the USC for two years but at that point, still wouldn't have been ready to be a managing partner at Butler Snow or another big law firm. I think he can be a good mayor one day. My opinion is just that right now, we are going to need a mayor who won't need a large learning curve when it comes to acting as an executive, formulating budgets, strategies, goals, priorties, etc. What type of management experience does he have? That is my point.

Kingfish

Dec 12 2006

Frank was a Corporate CEO, and look at how he's destroyed Jackson.

Ironghost

Dec 12 2006

I have said many times that fm is a magnet for crime. Pike-loves-the-jfp writes that melton gives these kids a place to stay and money. If they (some/most of them) are selling drugs, could it be the other way around? Just asking. Where is/was the parenting for these youngsters? How can you walk out of the house with a gun and where in the house do you hide your drugs? I just can't believe that the Dept. of Health and Human Services has turned their head on this juvinile non-traditional group home. The residents What keeps melton above and beyond the law? Has he become the Wizard that everyone or too many people fear? How did Taylor get back into the melton mansion? It is my understanding that the kids must be 18. Is there any monitoring of melton's drug/alcohol use; those issues that are a part of his probation? So far, everything that has been ordered has been broken or manipulated in some way to include melton being flanked publicly by his "body.guards." A "Director" would believe melton's behaviors: They are a dime a dozen. What IS hard to believe is the fact that WE sit back as a community with such thundering silence1

justjess

Dec 12 2006

Irong, that is irrelevant. There are good and bad apples in every profession.

Kingfish

Dec 12 2006

Ironghost, do you know anything about frank's track record and employee relationship when he was a CEO? He said that he was a Social Worker and had absolutely no business expertise when he became CEO of WLBT.

justjess

Dec 12 2006

Another thread would be "The Number of Good CEO's vs the Number of Bad CEO's." I don't believe that the job engenders a lot of concern for humanity in people, just a selfcentered focus on the money flow. It's part of the job. As for Melton's past, I doubt anything Melton says about it. I'll wait until the neutral parties do biographies first. :)

Ironghost

Dec 12 2006

Irong, Manager, executive, CEO, I mean the same thing. However, i'd like someone to take office who knows how to prepare budgets, who knows how to formulate a strategic plan and articulate the goals as well as stating how he intends to get there. I want someone who understands how the real world works out there in the business and political environment, not how it works in a classroom. My point is there is no subsitute for experience. I think Mr Crisler has plenty of experience, just not in a field that adequately prepares him for Mayor.

Kingfish

Dec 12 2006

I think Marshand would do a much better job than Frank is now. Frank hasn't yet demostrated he can do any of those qualities you mentioned, Kingfish. Marshand can at least listen, something Frank hasn't shown he can do.

Ironghost

Dec 12 2006

If you are going to compare Marshand to Frank, different story. However, I am not including frank in who I want to run for mayor.

Kingfish

Dec 12 2006

Oh I agree with that. Frank should leave office now, as far as I'm concerned. :)

Ironghost

Dec 12 2006

As long as Marchand's TEAM includes budget gurus, folks with MBA, good legal advice, etc. then that is all that matters to me. A City the size of Jackson with the myriad of problems we experience could not be governed by any one person. It will take a well functioning group willing to really roll up their sleeves and tackle the hard problems. A Team that can bring rational projects and suggestions to the City Council. A person who will listen and communicate well. A Police Chief and Fire Chief proficient in governering large and diverse departments. Even people I highly respect that are CEO's do not always understand government. Process is the key for government. Not many profit seeking CEO's understand the painfully slow process of government.

ChrisCavanaugh

Dec 12 2006

Well, I think any person who is willing to put forth a team while running would have a leg up. However, it is quite possible that some overlap would occur since some people may be considered by any of the candidates who might win.

pikersam

Dec 12 2006

OK, WAPT quoted Melton (confirmed by police reports) that Bibbs gun was registered to another student. So... nothing to see here folks.... Of course I would ask, "So, did he steal the gun from that student?" Also, it may be a registered gun; but, as Melton should well know since he had his bodyguard put it in the MCC, that doesn't mean he can have the weapon on a college campus! That would be a felony. Remember Frank? And Frank, when you are teaching these kids how to be better citizens, please remind them that you can't bring guns to church - Sunday or any other day ending in "Y!" Finally, don't forget to wash your hands and take off your hat to eat.

pikersam

Dec 12 2006

Pike, Trust me on the issue with Jeremy. The kid wouldnt have even had a CHANCE at college if it wasn't for Frank Melton. Even with his athletic talents. Jeremy likely wouldn't have graduated HS. Frank may not be teaching them everything correctly, or "policing"(how ironic...) his "boys" correctly, but he is putting them in alot better chance to succeed in life. Im pretty sure Frank didnt make Jeremy carry that gun.

rebfan04

Dec 12 2006

Yes, but rebfan, how can you argue that he is not taking his position as role model seriously enough by showing them that he does not respect laws. I think it's great that he sends them to college, but he needs to follow through by being a good example–or at least not a terrible one. And the truth is, right now, Jeremy may be headed back to prison for 16 years if his probation is revoked. So it doesn't matter that Melton got him in college, if he turned around and set an example than then gets him sent back to prison. BTW, Melton is the one who calls them his "boys," which you may already know. That's why it's in quotes in the headline. I feel bad for these kids. They are getting a bum deal to have so much promised to them and then the follow-through and example set for them be so bad.

DonnaLadd

Dec 12 2006

Certainly, Melton's attempt to rescue poor black kids from rough neighborhoods would have an entirely different character if he refused to even touch weapons. Imagine, for a moment, the contrast. Let's say that instead of acting like a tough guy, with his bullet resistant vest and his Glock 17, he relied on the massive police presence surrounding him on "raids." Not to mention Recio and Wright, swaggering around with their MP5s. Thank you, Judge Green, for putting an end to that insanity. What I'm saying is that even if Melton still went out on raids, still had that attitude, but refused to ever touch guns or allow them in his home (beyond holstered police weapons), that would send a different message to the young men under his care. The stupidest thing for any troubled young man to do is to carry a handgun. Melton left handguns out in the open in his house when Donna was there last April. Imagine if he was irate any time he heard that one of his mentees had carried a weapon. You know, the way Gandhi or Jesus would be upset. (Cliff, I do hope you accept the fact that Jesus would never, ever touch a handgun. We can't all be the Lord, of course.) Instead, Melton seems to send this message: "Listen son, all you got to do is get elected mayor. Then you can do whatever the hell you want."

Brian C Johnson

Dec 12 2006

One of our 'posters' did us proud today in the Letters to the Editor, C-L! Check it out and way to go Doc!

ChrisCavanaugh

Dec 16 2006

Sweet! Nice Doc. It takes a lot of sarcasm to get anything out of them, sometimes. :D

Ironghost

Dec 16 2006

Brian "(Cliff, I do hope you accept the fact that Jesus would never, ever touch a handgun. We can't all be the Lord, of course.)" If he were alive today, maybe not. But, I'll bet you he wouldn't turn me down if I offered to be his bodyguard. That way, he wouldn't have to.

Cliff Cargill

Dec 16 2006

I wonder if that quarterback at Madison Central will "have to go" to military school for his possession of steroids? He too is snitching on the dealers and others just like Jeremy did. Hmmm? An update from WAPT! Looks like this kid has a little roid rage going on. Also, look at how the judge had set aside his earlier charges of providing alcohol and having steroids: In December, a Madison judge set aside 15 alcohol-related charges against Foster in connection with a house party where police also found what appeared to be steroids. Don't forget, this kid snitched on another teenager selling steroids. Does anyone really think this other teenager was the kingpin? If the other kid doesn't turn over like the QB did, then did the QB really help the problem enough to justify the judges decision to go easy on the QB? OR was the QB given a break that most of us wouldn't ever get - especially in Madison?!? I hope they make an example of the QB before other kids think they too can get away with doing steroids, providing alcohol to teenagers (where were the parents?), and breaking faces. BTW: The QB is not Melton related news; but, Melton's "kids" have been afforded opportunities other kids who get in trouble don't get. Also, some of Melton's "kids" were breaking the law while living under his roof.

pikersam

Mar 6 2007

ought to get hammered twice. Once for steroids. Two for being a snitch. Catch 22's suck. ;-)

Kingfish

Mar 6 2007

saw story. he's nothing but a punk. a rat and a punk. Supposedly this fight was over a girl. Although if I were him, I'd worry about getting my ass whipped for being a snitch.

Kingfish

Mar 6 2007

by the way, no mention of this arrest in CL online at this time.

Kingfish

Mar 7 2007

Yes, I agree that he messed up in the beginning by snitching on the other teenager. I find it hard to have much sympathy for this kid. Maybe they just put it in there Madison paper?

pikersam

Mar 7 2007