Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided the businesses and offices of Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens on Wednesday of last week.
Agents were seen confiscating items from Owens’ offices in the Hinds County Courthouse, along with downtown Jackson businesses that included Downtown Cigar Company LLC and Downtown Daiquiri & Pizza, both located on Pearl Street. Sources told SuperTalk Mississippi News that Owens’ home was also subjected to a search.
“The FBI is executing federal search warrants at multiple locations,” FBI public information officer Marshay Lawson said in a statement released last week. “The affidavit in support of the search warrants has been sealed by the court and so I am prohibited from commenting further.”
City officials confirmed that the FBI also visited Jackson City Hall during the raids. In a press conference Tuesday, Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba refused to confirm whether the FBI visited City Hall or comment on the raids.
“My message to Jackson residents is to stay tuned with the business of the city and their personal lives,” the mayor said. “I don’t have any information to give them in order to direct them what to think or have any message. I have no information whatsoever on the district attorney or anybody else.”
Owens released the following statement on his Facebook page the day of the raids but has not provided any further information since:
“This morning, FBI agents came to our office,” read the statement. “We are fully cooperating with their efforts. The Hinds County District Attorney’s Office is fully functioning and continues its work on behalf of the citizens of Hinds County. That has been and will continue to be our primary focus. Currently, we have no further statements.”
