Crisler pleads not guilty on two federal charges; says he’s not dropping out of sheriff’s race

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A former Hinds County sheriff has pleaded not guilty on two federal charges in U.S. District Court.

On Thursday, Marshand Crisler made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac. Dressed in a blue hooded sweatshirt and wearing handcuffs, he pleaded not guilty on federal charges of bribery and selling ammunition to a convicted felon.

Crisler was awarded a $10,000 bond and his trial was set for 9 a.m., June 12, before Judge Tom Lee. He was expected to post bond and be released Thursday afternoon.

Crisler, who is again running for Hinds County sheriff, told reporters outside the courthouse that he is not dropping out of the race.

“I would encourage the citizens of Jackson and Hinds County to exercise their right to vote,” he said.

Meanwhile, Crisler’s attorney says he’s “a little surprised” by the allegations.

“I’ve known him a while. We’ll just have to see what the government reports to have,” attorney John Collette said. “Saying something and proving something are two different things.”

In April, a federal grand juror indicted former the former interim Crisler on one count connected to taking bribes in exchange for personal favors during his time in office and one count of knowingly selling ammunition to a convicted felon, in violation of federal statute.

The incidents occurred between September 14 and October 25, 2021, according to court records.

Crisler was appointed to the interim position in August 2021, following the death of the late Sheriff Lee Vance.

He was defeated by Tyree Jones in a special election to fill the remainder of Vance’s term that same year. Jones was sworn into office on December 3, 2021.

According to court records, Crisler “accepted certain monetary payments to support his campaign to be elected sheriff of the HCSO but did not report those payments as campaign contributions as required by Mississippi Code.”

Records go on to state that Crisler continued to make promises after losing the race.

Those promises included rewarding a convicted felon in the form of expungement of one or more felony convictions, offering protection to a jailed family member, and promises of employment to that felon at the Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center.

“These actions are alleged to have taken place during Crisler’s previous unsuccessful campaign for Hinds County Sheriff in 2021,” according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Then, on October 25, 2021, records sated that Crisler “knowingly sold and otherwise disposed of ammunition to a person... knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that [the person] had been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.”

It is against federal law to provide firearm ammunition to a known felon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The felon’s name was not mentioned in court records. During his previous run for sheriff, Crisler was criticized during a debate for his alleged connections with William “Polo” Edwards, a convicted felon and former social media personality. Edwards is currently facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of 45-year-old Robert Davis.

Crisler was appointed director of the Henley Young Patton Juvenile Justice Center in January 2022, a position he served in until he resigned earlier this year to again run for sheriff.

County Administrator Kenny Wayne Jones says he was unaware of any questionable hires made by Crisler during his time in office.

The director of the juvenile justice center answers to the county administrator, and all hires and terminations must be approved by the county’s Human Resources Department.

Jones, who was unaware of any charges pending against the former director, said any questionable recommendations would have been brought to him.

Crisler, a former Jackson city councilman, ran for mayor of Jackson in 2009, ultimately being defeated by Harvey Johnson Jr. in the Democratic primary runoff. He also ran for a seat in the Mississippi House of Representatives and for Central District Transportation Commissioner.

Crisler’s wife, Eva, is currently running for District 1 Supervisor.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and three years of supervised probation on each charge. Each charge also carries a maximum fine of $250,000.

Chief Investigative Reporter C.J. LeMaster contributed to this story.

Crisler was not immediately available for comment.

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