Attorney General Lynn Fitch recently announced the sentencing of James West, Jr., who was arrested in November 2021 during a human trafficking operation in Pearl, Mississippi.
42-year-old James West Jr. pleaded guilty to charges of Promoting Prostitution, Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, and Possession of a Stolen Firearm. As a convicted felon, West has a criminal history that includes Motor Vehicle Theft, Burglary of a Dwelling, Felony Child Endangerment, and other felony charges.
“I want to thank the investigators and prosecutors of our Special Victims Unit (SVU) for the hard work that helped put this felon behind bars,” said Attorney General Lynn Fitch. “Their diligence is vital to ensuring that criminals are brought to justice and victims are set on the road to recovery. My office will continue to work tirelessly to protect our communities from criminals who seek to exploit others.”
On May 21, 2024, Judge Dewey Arthur of the Rankin County Circuit Court sentenced West to 8 years, with 5 years to serve for promoting prostitution, 5 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm, and 2 years of post-release supervision for possessing a stolen firearm.
West’s arrest was part of a ten-day blitz of human trafficking operations across the state, which resulted in 13 arrests and the recovery of 49 victims.
