George County Sheriff’s Office Issues Clarification on Inmate Release Incident Involving Lucedale PD

Lucedale, MS (BuzzReport) — The George County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) has responded to recent statements made by the Lucedale Police Department (LPD) regarding the release of robbery suspect Cameron Dewayne Martin on July 8, 2025. The Sheriff’s Office aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident, citing misinformation and omissions from LPD’s narrative.

In a statement released this week, GCSO asserts that allegations made by the LPD claiming that Martin’s release was a result of improper legal procedure are misleading. Officials at GCSO indicate that the incident stemmed from a series of policy violations by the Lucedale Police Department, specifically concerning the management of arrest and housing procedures for individuals taken into custody.

Since Lucedale PD has declined to sign a housing contract with the George County Regional Correctional Facility (GCRCF), the GCSO emphasized that any inmate arrested by LPD remains under their jurisdiction. This includes the responsibilities associated with booking and custody. According to GCSO, instead of adhering to these responsibilities, Lucedale PD has tried to circumvent protocol by filing charges through the George County Justice Court rather than the Lucedale Municipal Court.

On the day of Martin’s arrest, LPD attempted to book him into GCRCF improperly, listing the arresting agency as GCSO on official documentation. GCSO officials discovered this discrepancy during processing, immediately reaching out to LPD for clarification and corrective measures. Despite numerous reminders that Martin remained under LPD’s custody and a directive for LPD to retrieve the inmate, no officers from Lucedale PD responded.

Due to this lack of action, GCSO took the initiative to transport Martin to the Lucedale Police Department, formally transferring custody back to LPD officers. This transfer was carried out after GCSO Chief Deputy Dominique Tanner personally informed LPD personnel—Investigator Laquinton Ingram and Patrol Sergeant Greg Pitts—of the need for LPD to arrange for its own inmate housing, as was customary.

Instead of exploring housing arrangements in neighboring counties, which have been previous venues for detention, LPD chose to release Martin from custody. In the wake of this decision, Police Chief Kellum Fairley contended in dialogues with Justice Court officials that the GCSO had “released” the inmate, a claim the Sheriff’s Office officially refutes as false.

GCSO insists that their actions adhered to existing legal guidelines and procedural policies, stating that all responsibility for Martin’s arrest and subsequent release lies with the Lucedale Police Department. The Sheriff’s Office has called for greater accountability in the operational procedures of law enforcement agencies to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In concluding their statement, GCSO reaffirmed their commitment to interagency cooperation, transparency, and public safety, while underscoring the importance of accurate communications regarding law enforcement duties. They express hope that Lucedale PD will work collaboratively to rectify ongoing procedural issues, ensuring public trust and effective law enforcement operations.

As the situation continues to develop, further discussions between the agencies may be required to align their policies and procedures, ultimately aiming to enhance service and accountability to the community they collectively serve.