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

Mississippi program helps teachers buy home in areas facing severe teacher shortages

News

Three arrested after body of missing Louisiana college student found in Mississippi shot multiple times

News

Ag company’s $3.6 million investment to modernize to create 26 jobs; retain 88 positions in rural Mississippi

News

Mississippi man killed in noonday wreck on rural Mississippi highway

News

Mississippi rental business warehouse destroyed by large fire. Firefighters worked scene for nearly 24 hours.

News

Mississippi judge denies motion to seal capital murder case of man accused of killing former Ole Miss graduate who has been missing since 2022

News

Ole Miss hurler turned country music star to play night of Rebels’ first home football game

News

Mississippi man gets sentence nearly tripled by judge after creating commotion outside courtroom

News

Two Mississippi Lottery players rake in more than $350,000 in winnings on Wednesday

News

Paradise turns into uncertainty for Mississippians left stranded at airport for a week by global computer glitch

News

Police looking for thieves who stole Mississippi thrift store items used to help clothe, feed and provide medical care for those in need

News

Mississippi man charged with felony DUI after leading deputy on pursuit in car, on foot

News

Texas man arrested after deputies discover 44 pounds of meth during Mississippi interstate traffic stop

News

Mississippi 9-year-old proves anyone can make a difference after raising thousands with lemonade stand

News

Mississippi woman sentenced in murder of man she reportedly met on Snapchat. His lifeless body was found by pipeline workers on rural road.

News

Mississippi man identified as gunshot victim found in car that crashed into back of Georgia house

News

Mississippi man uses AirPods to track vehicle after it was stolen. He discovers it was one of many stolen vehicles at same address.

News

Mississippi casino showers player with $205,000 ‘Mo’ Mummy’ jackpot

News

Man killed in weekend wreck in rural Louisiana

News

‘Mississippi’ taxi cabs give Londoners a taste of the Magnolia State

News

Mississippi. man accused of murdering his roommate

News

Mississippi man pleads to million dollar bank fraud conspiracy

News

Mother arrested in Mississippi after reportedly killing one son, abandoning another along interstate tells reporter she was on drugs when committing crimes

News

Swiss company plans to set up in Mississippi, invest $176 million with potential of more than 300 jobs