Video: Monroe County Suspects Extradited

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SMITHVILLE, Miss.(WCBI)–It does not classify as being the crime of the century, but it does show how law enforcement working together help bring criminals to justice. Suspects sometimes must be brought back from another state to answer to crimes done locally.

A crime is committed in Monroe County, thousands of dollars are taken from a home in Smithville.

“There were four individuals involved. We already have the juvenile and the other lady that was here in the county. These people were involved in the robbery. Of course after we started making arrests they left,” said Sheriff Cecil Cantrell/Monroe County.

Thats when the long arm of the law began shaking hands with another long arm of the law in a place called Martinsville West Virginia. Willie Madison Stafford and Ethan Stanford are expected to be brought back to Mississippi for crimes they are accused of committing. The process is called extradition.

“They are going to be getting in front of a magistrate there, we hope by Monday,” said Cecil Cantrell.

“That state can then determine whether or not there is enough requirements met to have them extradited. Those would include whether or not he has to be indicted, wether or not he is wanted, and once those requirements are met they then have a duty to extradite the person,” said Jeff Hosford/Attorney.

Before extradition a suspect has a legal right to a hearing under the law to find out if there is a violation.

“If the court determines those factors weren’t met then obviously they are not going to extradite them back to Mississippi. If the court determines that were met then they would immediately return that person to Mississippi to face the charges in Mississippi,” said Jeff Hosford.

The most recent supreme court ruling says a person can be held if being punished for a crime in that state.

“So if somebody is charged with a crime lets say of murder and they are serving a life sentence in the state of texas, the state of Texas doesn’t have to release that person until that sentence is up,” said Jeff Hosford.

Sheriffs deputies or a private company usually picks up suspects that are extradited. Sheriff Cantrell is hoping they’ll make that trip to West Virginia Monday or Tuesday.