Marshand Crisler Found Guilty of Corruption Charges, Faces Up to 10 Years
Marshand Crisler, the former interim sheriff of Hinds County, Mississippi, was convicted on federal charges of bribery and illegally supplying ammunition to a felon. Crisler, who briefly held the sheriff position in 2021, could face a maximum of 10 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for February 6.
Convicted of Bribery and Corruption
The federal conviction stems from Crisler’s actions while serving as the interim sheriff in Mississippi’s largest county. Federal prosecutors revealed that Crisler accepted thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for providing sensitive information from ongoing criminal investigations. Crisler allegedly promised the bribe payer that he would protect their jailed relative and even offered them a job with the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, according to statements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI.
Supplying Ammunition to a Known Felon
In addition to the bribery scheme, prosecutors said Crisler supplied ammunition to a convicted felon, violating federal law. The court found that Crisler knowingly provided the ammunition despite being aware of the recipient’s criminal history, further underscoring what federal officials described as a breach of public trust.
Political Background and Attempts to Reclaim Office
Crisler, a former Jackson City Council member, initially assumed the role of interim sheriff following the death of elected Sheriff Lee Vance in 2021. He ran in the subsequent special election to serve the remainder of Vance’s term but was defeated by Tyree Jones. Crisler challenged Jones again in the 2023 Democratic primary, a campaign now overshadowed by his conviction.
Awaiting Sentencing
Following the guilty verdict, Crisler remains free pending his sentencing in early February, when he could be sentenced to up to 10 years. His conviction not only concludes a significant federal investigation but also highlights the ongoing challenges of corruption in local law enforcement.