Leake teens jailed with high-power rifle
A traffic stop may have thwarted a plot to shoot up the Philadelphia High School graduation last weekend.
Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with a high-speed chase that ended on the Choctaw Indian Reservation and the seizure of a high-powered rifle and other weapons.
The teens from other counties led Neshoba County Sheriff’s deputies on the chase that started near the Golden Moon and ended in a nearby subdivision off Black Jack Road, just north of the water park, early Friday morning.
The suspected driver, Jacob D. Triplett, 18, 2620 Highway 16 East, Carthage, was arrested and charged with possession of a handgun by a minor, felony pursuit, resisting arrest, reckless driving, fleeing arrest, improper lane usage, no insurance, no driver’s license, disobeying a traffic control device, improper parking and failure to yield to blue lights, according to Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark.
The other teen, Keomur Charmichael, 18, 2699 Demascus Church Road, Kosciusko, was arrested and charged with possession of a handgun by a minor, felony pursuit, resisting arrest, reckless driving, fleeing arrest, improper lane usage, no insurance, no driver’s license, disobeying a traffic control device, improper parking and failure to yield to blue lights, Clark said.
Clark said investigators believe that Triplett was driving the vehicle. Due to discrepancies in the testimonies of both Triplett and Carmichael, they have both been charged with possession of a firearm seized in association with the vehicle, as well as all charges related to driving the vehicle.
“We decided it was best to let the judge decide,” Clark said.
According to Clark, two other individuals remain at large in connection with the incident. He said they are believed to be from Leake County and said his office is working with the Leake County Sheriff’s Office to identify and bring them into custody.
Deputies first encountered the truck, a black Ford with no license plate, at about 1 a.m. on Highway 16 West near the Golden Moon Casino. Clark said a deputy noticed the vehicle did not have a license plate and attempted to make a traffic stop.
The driver then fled. Clark said he turned onto the western entrance to Black Jack Road, traveling at 70 miles per hour.
Deputies pursued the vehicle down Black Jack Road, while additional law enforcement set up spike strips near Geyser Falls, located at the other end of Black Jack Road.
Clark said the driver turned right onto Dancing Rabbit Ridge, entering a subdivision situated off Black Jack Road, just north of Lake Pushmataha. Clark said the driver continued onto Rocksprings Trail, where he made a stop in the front yard of a residence in the subdivision.
Deputies reported seeing four males exit the truck with firearms and flee in different directions. Triplett was quickly apprehended near where the truck had stopped. Clark said investigators found a handgun and an AR-15 platform weapon modified as a pistol with a large drum magazine.
“This was a serious weapon,” Clark said.
When law enforcement returned to the scene, Clark said they found that the truck had not been put into park and had rolled across the street, requiring it to be towed from a ditch.
Clark said Choctaw Police arrested Carmichael later that morning.
Clark commended his deputy for investigating the suspect vehicle and initiating the chase.
“He might have saved somebody from being shot at,” Clark said.
Clark said his office had an increased presence over the weekend as they had heard reports that elements from Leake County intended to “disrupt” the Philadelphia High School graduation on Thursday, May 22, at the Neshoba County Coliseum.
“We do not know if it was gang-related or just thug related,” Clark said.
Clark said investigators believe all four in the truck were recent graduates of Leake Central High School based on items found in the vehicle.