By Lindsay Knowles
Updated: Jan. 7, 2021 at 11:22 AM CST
JACKSON, Miss. (WLOX) - The state’s Department of Public Safety has announced the launch of Mississippi’s Most Wanted list.
The list, which was announced Thursday, was compiled by Mississippi Bureau of Investigation in conjunction with law enforcement agencies throughout the state.
It currently includes ten of the state’s most wanted fugitives, with crimes ranging from murder to child molestation.
“It is my hope that with this list, Mississippians can help capture the fugitives labeled as Mississippi’s Most Wanted,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “We can work together and make this great state safer.”
“The individuals on this list pose a very serious threat to our communities,” said DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell. “We are asking for the public’s assistance in locating these individuals. It is our hope that Mississippi’s Most Wanted list will increase exposure and lead to the capture and arrest of these fugitives.”
The 10 suspects on Mississippi’s Most Wanted List and a description of their crimes are included below:
Allen D Henderson (aka Allan D Henderson/Alan D Henderson/Allan Henderson/Allan Dante Henderson) is wanted by the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations for absconding supervision. Henderson was previously convicted for Manslaughter after he strangled his girlfriend to death and left her body outside of a daycare in Pearl, Mississippi. Henderson was also convicted of Child Abandonment after he left his girlfriend’s nine-month-old child with her deceased body and fled the crime scene. Henderson was granted earned time release by the Mississippi Department of Corrections in 2016 but has failed to report to his probation officer since February 2019. Henderson reportedly has extremely violent tendencies. Henderson should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
Oscar McNeil (aka Oscar Christopher McNeil/Oscar C McNeil) is wanted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation for the violent charges of Aggravated Assault and Armed Robbery. In October 2018, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office issued arrest warrants for McNeil for robbing a man at knifepoint and then stabbing him in the neck. McNeil fled after the stabbing and remains at large. McNeil reportedly has an artificial left arm and tattoos on his right arm. McNeil should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
Harold Lee Higgins (aka “Big Bird” Higgins/“Bird” Higgins) is wanted by the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations for absconding supervision. Higgins was previously charged and convicted for Murder in Jones County Circuit Court after he beat his ex-wife and then shot her to death inside her home. Higgins was released on conditional parole but has failed to report to his parole officer since March 2016. Higgins reportedly has extremely violent tendencies. Higgins should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
Charles Rhodes Chandler (aka Charles R Chandler/Charlie Chandler/Chuck Chandler) is wanted by the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations for absconding supervision. Chandler was convicted of Manslaughter and Robbery in Harrison County Circuit Court after he robbed a local Gulfport lounge and was chased out of the building by a man who tried to stop him. Chandler then ran over and killed the man with his vehicle. Chandler was granted earned time release by the Mississippi Department of Corrections in 2018 but has failed to report to his probation officer since February 2019. Chandler reportedly has a tattoo of an arrow on his left shoulder. Chandler reportedly has extremely violent tendencies. Chandler should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
Sarah Hope Thorpe (aka Sarah Thorpe-Kennedy) is wanted by the Adams County Sheriff’s Department and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation for two charges of Accessory After the Fact for Murder. In April 2019, the Adams County Sheriff’s Department issued arrest warrants for Thorpe for knowingly helping another individual elude the authorities and avoid arrest after the individual shot and killed an Adams County resident. Thorpe remains at large following the incident. Thorpe should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
George D. Robinson Jr. (aka George Dewitt Robinson) is wanted by the Quitman County Sheriff’s Office and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation for two charges of Sexual Battery. In June 2020, the Quitman County Sheriff’s Office issued arrest warrants for Robinson after he reportedly pinned down his daughter, a minor, and sexually assaulted her in their home on two separate occasions. Robinson has since fled the home and remains at large. Robinson is also a known drug abuser. Robinson should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
Jessie Dennis Jr. (aka Jessie Lee Dennis) is wanted by the Grenada County Sheriff’s Department and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation for Felony Rape. In April 2017, the Grenada County Sheriff’s Office issued an arrest warrant for Dennis for forcibly raping his female victim in his car after threatening to kill her with a pistol. Dennis remains at large since this 2017 incident. Dennis reportedly has a “ghost” tattoo on his front, right arm. Dennis should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
Burnell E. McCann (aka Burnell Emile McCann/Burnell E. McCann Jr.) is wanted by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender. McCann has multiple convictions of Sexual Battery in New Orleans, Louisiana. McCann has since moved to Harrison County but has failed to register as a sex offender. McCann was last seen in Gulfport, Mississippi in August 2019 and remains at large. McCann also has previous charges of Child Cruelty and Armed Robbery in Louisiana and previous convictions of Auto Burglary in Mississippi. McCann should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
Kevin D. Cope Jr. (aka Kevin Donald Cope Jr./Kevin Donald Cope/Kevin Cope Jr.) is wanted by the Amite County Sheriff’s Department and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation for charges of Child Molesting and Child Fondling. In January 2020, the Amite County Sheriff’s Department issued an arrest warrant for Cope for sexually touching and fondling his student, a minor, at school while he was a teacher in Liberty, Mississippi. Cope remains at large since this incident. Cope should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
Gary Mitchell (aka Gary L Mitchell) is wanted by the Amite County Sheriff’s Department and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation for three charges of Child Molesting. In July 2019, the Amite County Sheriff’s Department issues arrest warrants for Mitchell for sexually molesting three female victims under the age of 16 while in his home in Gloster, Mississippi. Mitchell remains at large following these incidents. Mitchell should be considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
If you have information on the whereabouts of any of the individuals on Mississippi’s Most Wanted list, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-888-8CRIMES (1-888-827-4637). Callers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment of the suspect.
It is important to note that all individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of competent jurisdiction.
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