🇺🇲 MS Coast probation officer extorted offenders by demanding drugs and sex, authorities say
A Mississippi Department of Corrections probation and parole officer in Jackson County is jailed on federal charges of extortion under the Hobbs Act and witnesses tampering, according to records unsealed this week.
According to the charging document handed down in federal court in Gulfport, Steven Wood is accused of getting drugs from offenders he supervised and producing sexual videos and sexually oriented photographs of at least five offenders under his supervision as an MDOC probation and parole officer.
Wood allegedly took pictures and made videos of the sex acts with the targeted offenders in exchange for his promises to them that he would not take any action against them for any alleged probation or parole violation. Those crimes occurred between 2022 and August 2024.
Federal prosecutors have charged Wood with witness tampering for an incident in October 2024. According to the bill of information, Wood approached the victim in Harrison County and threatened, intimidated, and “corruptly persuaded” them to avoid speaking with investigators handling his case. The filings confirm this occurred in October 2024.
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A Mississippi Department of Corrections probation and parole officer in Jackson County is jailed on federal charges of extortion under the Hobbs Act and witnesses tampering, according to records unsealed this week.
According to the charging document handed down in federal court in Gulfport, Steven Wood is accused of getting drugs from offenders he supervised and producing sexual videos and sexually oriented photographs of at least five offenders under his supervision as an MDOC probation and parole officer.
Wood allegedly took pictures and made videos of the sex acts with the targeted offenders in exchange for his promises to them that he would not take any action against them for any alleged probation or parole violation. Those crimes occurred between 2022 and August 2024.
Federal prosecutors have charged Wood with witness tampering for an incident in October 2024. According to the bill of information, Wood approached the victim in Harrison County and threatened, intimidated, and “corruptly persuaded” them to avoid speaking with investigators handling his case. The filings confirm this occurred in October 2024.
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