KILMICHAEL – An embattled Kilmichael alderman has resigned his position with the town after pleading guilty to writing checks to himself on a local church account. As part of a plea bargain with the district attorney’s office, James Williams, 38, plead guilty to three counts of uttering forgery prior to Montgomery County Circuit Court.
Williams was initially arrested on July 6, 2010, and charged with embezzlement and uttering forgery for writing checks to himself from a New Pleasant Springs Missionary Baptist Church account. Williams later cashed those checks at two Kilmichael businesses.
Williams was incarcerated on those charges at the Carroll-Montgomery Regional Correctional Facility in Vaiden and his bond was set at $5,000. Williams posted that bond and was released on July 8.
On Aug. 25, Williams was again arrested for failure to pay child support and returned to Carroll-Montgomery.
On Sept. 7 – and while still in jail – Williams was indicted on the uttering forgery charges, and he entered a guilty plea.
Williams was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with 10 suspended for five years. He was also ordered to pay restitution and all related court costs.
On Oct. 7, Williams was transferred to the Leflore County Restitution Center, in Greenwood, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. Williams will remain in custody until he works of his court fines and his back child support payments totaling $3,922.
Williams, who is known for his sometimes volatile and hostile temperament at Kilmichael board meetings, has served as the Ward 3 alderman since 2005. Williams submitted his letter of resignation at the October 2010 regularly scheduled board meeting.
Town officials said Williams’ behavior has been an embarrassment to the town and a special election will be held on Nov. 16 to replace Williams and Ward One Alderwoman Rose Lishman, who resigned shortly after Williams.
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