Three people, including a police officer, have been charged in connection with the death of a man whose body was found in a shallow grave east of Fernwood on Monday.
Officials identified the victim as 53-year-old Kenneth Thompson, 611 24th St., McComb.
Officials charged Greg Antonio Fortenberry, 26, 1235 Witterman St., McComb; LaJerrius Perkins, 17, 618 S. Fourth St., McComb; and Jasper Cortez Pittman, 25, 1025 Josephine Lane, McComb, in the case.
Fortenberry was charged with murder, arson, conspiracy to commit murder and probation violation. Perkins was charged with murder, arson and conspiracy to commit murder. Pittman was charged with sexual battery, arson and accessory after the fact of murder.
Each was arrested Monday. They are being held without bond in the Pike County jail.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the case because of Pittman’s alleged involvement. Pittman is a Brookhaven police officer and a former McComb police officer. The MBI routinely investigates criminal cases involving law enforcement officials.
Authorities responded to Pittman’s Josephine Lane house around 2 a.m. Monday and found Thompson buried in a nearby wooded area.
Coroner Percy Pittman pronounced Thompson dead at the scene. He said he believes Thompson died Sunday.
He said Thompson apparently suffered a stab wound, but he’s unsure if that’s what killed him.
Mississippi State Crime Lab officials took Thompson’s body for an autopsy on Monday. An autopsy report has not been completed, officials said this morning.
Pike County sheriff’s officials did not give a suspected cause of death.
Neighbors said they saw Thompson in the neighborhood around 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Josephine Lane resident Mable Brumfield said he was in the area looking for his 14-year-old son, who had reportedly run away from home.
“He was going from house to house, showing a picture of his son,” Brumfield said.
Officials said Thompson’s 14-year-old son ran away about a week ago. Deputies found the boy and are detaining him as a runaway.
Officials found Thompson’s Chevrolet pickup burned off of Pike 93 Central on Monday, prompting the arson charges.
Sheriff’s officials would not give details into the allegations behind the sexual battery charge.
