A South Mississippi law enforcement officer who has spent his whole career putting individuals in jail is now facing a jail sentence.
Judge Lisa P. Dodson sentenced Michael Whitfield, a former Mississippi Department of Corrections probation agent, to 10 days in the Harrison County Jail on Monday.
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MDOC also confirmed Whitfield’s termination following an inquiry into an incident in which a man was illegally kept in jail for months.
It boils down to this: MDOC parolee Derrick Boudreaux was arrested by the New Orleans Police Department after getting into a brawl. The charge was withdrawn by NOLA PD the same day, but Boudreaux remained in jail due to a Mississippi warrant for absconding on parole.
Boudreaux’s parole warrant was quietly revoked, and he was placed on probation under Whitfield’s supervision.
A month later, while Boudreaux was still in Orleans Parish Jail, Whitfield filed a petition to revoke his probation. According to records, Whitfield told the court that Boudreaux had failed to report for probation or pay fines and needed to be caught.
By the time Boudreaux was transported to Harrison County and appeared before Judge Lisa P. Dodson, he had been in prison for over three months.
Parolees and probationers must appear in front of a judge within 21 days after their arrest, according to state statute. If that does not occur, they are released—subject to specific exceptions, which Boudreaux’s case did not fit.
Whitfield continued to offer excuses in court on Monday for his actions and inaction.
“You had him expelled from parole and placed on probation.” You were aware that you had issued a field warrant to hold him in custody,” Judge Dodson informed Whitfield. “In those 30-plus days, you knew he was sitting in jail on your warrant for probation, right?”
“I did ask my supervisor that I needed help—that I couldn’t keep up,” Whitfield claimed.
“Answer my question, sir,” Dodson demanded.
“Yes, your honor,” he responded gently.
Whitfield went on to blame his workload. He explained to the judge that he simply had too many tasks to complete as a probation agent, which resulted in this breakdown of protocol. He also blamed his boss.
“I will not lie to you, judge. “I am telling you the truth,” Whitfield implored.
“Well, that would be the first time,” she remarked.
Later, Judge Dodson chastised Whitfield for a history of filing improper papers and failing to schedule hearings on time.
“I wasn’t aware,” Whitfield insisted.
“Apparently, you’re not aware of a lot of things,” Dodson said, evidently not amused.
Angela Broun, a public defense attorney who represents Derrick Boudreaux, addressed the court.
“Yet again, excuses for knowingly and intentionally misleading this court in an effort to have my client wrongfully imprisoned,” she added in reference to Whitfield’s defense.
She requested the judge sentence him to ten days in jail. The state statute restricts jail time for contempt of court to 30 days.
Finally, Whitfield was given one last chance to state his mind.
“I just want to serve the community,” he told me. “Throughout my career, I’ve dedicated myself to community service.
Judge Dodson interjected, “Well, that’s your opinion.”
She went on to scold the career cop for doing something that even small toddlers understand not to do.
“If an attorney had done what you did, they would have been disbarred. If a defendant did what you did, they would face jail time. You stand before this court with the authority to arrest and imprison individuals. That brought with it the enormous duty of ensuring that you do it correctly,” she remarked. “You did not do that.” And for months, you didn’t take advantage of any opportunities to fix your mistakes.”
Dodson went on to say that if Whitfield had followed the assistant district attorney’s recommendation and dropped the petition to terminate Boudreaux’s probation, she would not have known about it.
Whitfield was subsequently sentenced to 10 days in Harrison County Jail and fined $100.
“If you ever serve in a law enforcement capacity again, I hope that every single person in this courtroom will stand up and say, ‘Don’t let him do it.'”
Whitfield’s narrative does not finish here, however.
His law enforcement officer certification has been suspended pending an inquiry and hearing by the state’s Board of Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training (BLEOST).
Whitfield’s attorney even stated, “This is probably a career-ender.”
The hearing with BLEOST is expected to take place in October or November.
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety stated that their investigation began three days after WLOX News contacted MDOC for information regarding Michael Whitfield.
Angela Broun, Boudreaux’s defense attorney, sent a statement to WLOX News.
The procedural protections set forth in our constitution, statutes and court rules exist to protect the rights of every individual accused of breaking the law. When these procedures are not followed, injustices like Mr. Boudreaux’s case occur.
Angela Broun
