Supervisors hire new deputy justice court clerk; former deputy faces grand larceny charge

Published 11:12 am Wednesday, April 23, 2025

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NATCHEZ — Following a closed session on Monday morning, the Adams County Board of Supervisors agreed to hire Shecarin Mikel as a Deputy Justice Court Clerk.

Jekia Horton

Kevin Wilson, District 2 supervisor and president of the Board of Supervisors, said Mikel is a former employee of the Justice Court who left in good standing.

Just after the first of the year, supervisors hired Cristetta Thomas as Justice Court Clerk, who acts as the court’s administrator. She replaced Verna Johnson, who was not reappointed to that post by the supervisors.

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The hiring of Mikel comes on the heels of the arrest of a now-former Deputy Justice Court Clerk on alleged embezzlement charges.

Sheriff Travis Patten said Jekia L. Horton, 36, was arrested April 15 on grand larceny charges. He said she was given a $10,000 bond and bonded out shortly after her arraignment.

Patten said Horton has been charged with stealing more than $2,000 from Justice Court.

County Attorney Scott Slover said that when the issue was discovered, it was turned over to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office for a full investigation.

“The county is cooperating fully with that investigation. We are making certain that the policy of the county’s handbook has been strictly followed. We are cooperating with law enforcement and if any other agency comes in to investigate, we will cooperate with them fully, as well,” Slover said.

Wilson said the issue has been brought to the attention of the Mississippi Auditor’s Office.