Embezzlement case on hold

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 26, 2011

NATCHEZ — An embezzlement case against Adams County Maintenance Supervisor Allen James Jones is currently on hold for investigative purposes, Justice Court Judge Charlie Vess said Tuesday in court.

Vess said investigators at the state attorney general’s office have requested not to set a court date while they investigate other possible charges relating to Jones’ case.

Office of the Attorney General Public Information Officer Jan Schaefer said she could not elaborate on matters under investigation.

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“I can tell you no court dates have been set,” Schaefer said.

Jones, 52, 43 Kingston Road, was arrested Dec. 15 on embezzlement charges.

Jones reportedly sold a county-purchased air conditioning unit to a local church and then pocketed the money.

After Jones’ Dec. 21 arraignment, Vess said Attorney General Investigator Roger Cribbs, who is handling the prosecution of the case, suggested in court that the ongoing investigation of Jones carries with it a “strong possibility that there are additional legal matters that (Jones) may be involved with or have knowledge of.”

Vess said Cribbs also suggested persons other than Jones might be involved in the embezzlement charges or in other illegal activities. Cribs did not confirm if other individuals involved were county employees, “but he did not rule it out,” Vess said.

Some members of the Adams County Board of Supervisors have also expressed beliefs that the Jones investigation might bring other charges to light.

The case is being handled by the Public Integrity Division of the Attorney General’s Office.

Jones remains on administrative leave without pay, which he was placed on several months before his arrest during the investigation.