In late February, management at a local farm store contacted the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office concerning the theft of a pallet of 40 bags of dog food. Upon investigation, CCSO deputies discovered that an order had been placed on February 18, 2025, for a pallet of dog food worth more than $1,500. The order was placed and paid for by credit card over the phone. The credit card charge was approved, and the buyer picked up the pallet of food the next day. Several days after the purchase had been picked up, the store was notified by the credit card company that the charge was fraudulent and was reversed. CCSO began an investigation into the theft and found that other counties had the same type of crime reported to them as well.
On March 12, the Leake County Sheriff’s Office detained two subjects in Carthage that were possibly involved in the scam. CCSO Deputies traveled to Leake County and interviewed them. Necessary evidence was obtained to charge 40-year-old, Brandon Barron of Tupelo with Felony False Pretense. Barron was booked into the Carroll County Regional Correctional Facility on March 14. Bond was set at $10,000.00 in Carroll County, however other agencies have placed detainers so that he will face charges in those places as well.
The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office contacted the MS Agriculture Theft Bureau since the crime is multijurisdictional and involves feed. As this is an ongoing investigation, more charges may be forthcoming.
Sheriff Walker said, “We appreciate the cooperation and assistance of Leake County, Grenada County, the MS Agriculture Theft Bureau and others in this case. Credit card fraud costs consumers and local businesses millions of dollars no matter whether it’s used to purchase dog food or diamonds. I am thankful for the diligence and hard work of our deputies who investigated this case.”
