By Rupert Howell
Batesville Assistant Police Chief Jimmy McCloud said Tuesday afternoon the morning’s FBI operation, “Bite Back,” began as a small narcotics investigation by BPD department’s Special Ops unit and morphed into a major operation once investigators working on the Jessica Chambers case began connecting dots.
Although connected with the Jessica Chambers investigation, investigators say the operation is not connected to her murder.
“I don’t think it’s anything that will lead us to Jessica’s murderer,” District Attorney John Champion said Wednesday, but noted that valuable information concerning drugs and crime was obtained with the investigation and stated, “I fully anticipate more to come.”
Batesville Police Department released names, ages and charges on 17 individuals under arrest in connection with Tuesday morning’s Operation Bite Back in a gang and drug crackdown with federal, state and local agencies.
During the morning’s operation, nine of the 17 were arrested as several had been previously incarcerated.
Sheriff Dennis Darby said the five task forces gathered at 4 a.m. in Oxford. Darby was stationed at Panola County Jail where those arrested were brought for processing in the facility’s meeting room and then separated by charges.
Those facing federal charges were taken to Oxford to face a Federal magistrate and others facing state charges were being processed into the local facility.
Sheriff Darby had mentioned months earlier that the investigation into the Chamber’s case had turned up information leading to other criminal activity in the area.
The sheriff said in an interview earlier this month that the Chambers investigation triggered the most extensive coordination of investigative assets ever to concentrate on a crime in Panola County.
McCloud said the five SWAT teams hit separate locations simultaneously at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Neighbors nearby reported hearing the concussion grenades during the time period.
The assistant chief said the locations included residences on Petit and Patton Lane Streets, Roper, and Old Panola Roads. He said a BPD officer and Panola Deputy assisted each of the five task forces—three consisted of FBI agents and one each Bureau of Narcotics and Mississippi Highway Patrol.
McCloud and other law enforcement officials emphasized that the investigation is not over.
“We’re not done. The FBI will be here investigating some people. (There’s) More to come. . ., “ the Assistant Chief said.
An FBI news release listed Black Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords, and Sipp Mob street gangs as having members that were included in those arrested.
Although names of gangs of which some of those arrested were mentioned, Champion said he didn’t look at Operation Bite Back as a gang initiative.
“Certainly some are members of gangs, but the focus was on individual acts rather than gang activity,” Champion said of charges against those arrested.
“Many cities across the country have success pooling resources with Federal and State agencies to fight and control gangs and gang-related violence,” said Donald Alway, special agent in charge of the FBI in Mississippi. “It’s our intent that this operation will be the start of that here in Panola and surrounding counties.”
Those who have been arrested so far in the Bite Back operation include:
 Lyndon Mosely, Jr., 24, distribution of crack cocaine;
  Edward House, 39, distribution of powder cocaine & distribution of crack cocaine;
Joshua Cannon, 25, cocaine possession;
Anand Vijay Shegog, 39, sale of a controlled substance;
 Mondarious Armstead,  23, public drunk; receiving stolen property; possession, sale, transfer of stolen firearm;
Gregory B. Andrews,  22, distribution of powder cocaine (2x);
D’lirian Case,  18, attempt to pass counterfeit and passing counterfeit;
Janicholas Vankeith Scott,  34, sale of cocaine;
James Mosely Jr.,  26, robbery, sale of cocaine, presenting false cocaine in state;
George Todd,  23, attempt to pass counterfeit;
Dedrick Ivery,   39, possession of controlled substance, child abuse, firearm enhancement, felon possession of firearm in the proximity to school /church;
Antonio Johnson,  28, possession controlled substance with intent;
Xavier Hooks,  25, possession gun felon, possession of a stolen gun;
Kevin Windfield, 37, sale of a controlled substance;
Elgin Lamar,  38, possession controlled substance (x2), possession controlled substance with intent, child endangerment (x2);
Deon Smith,  20, passing counterfeit;
Stanley Coleman, 40, sale of cocaine (x4).