Mississippi prosecutor's office, tobacco shop raided by FBI agents

JACKSON, Miss. (TND) — Multiple properties utilized by a Mississippi district attorney were raided by FBI agents Wednesday, according to the FBI Jackson Field Office.

Agents raided both Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owen's office and the Downtown Cigar Company, a tobacco shop and lounge in Jackson. The shop is managed by Owens and underwent its annual report Monday, according to a review of Mississippi Secretary of State's Office records.

The reason for the searches is not immediately clear. FBI Jackson spokesperson Marshay Lawson told The National Desk (TND) the corresponding affidavit is currently sealed, making the field office unable to provide details.

"There is no threat to public safety," Lawson said.

When reached for comment, the Hinds County District Attorney's Office told TND it is "fully cooperating" with the FBI.

"The Hinds County District Attorney’s Office is fully functioning and continues its work on behalf of the citizens of Hinds County. That has been and will continue to be our primary focus," the office said. "Currently, we have no further statements."

TND reached out to the Downtown Cigar Company for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. This story will be updated if a response is received.

Owens was first elected as Hinds County district attorney in 2019 before being re-elected in 2023. In 2022, he was accused of threatening a man with a gun inside a woman's apartment, according to WLBT. The women was reportedly Samantha Grant, Owens's chief of staff. Owens was accused at the time of having a romantic relationship with Grant, according to WLBT.

Owens denied the allegations to WLBT, saying he has "never pulled a weapon on anybody" and "would never pull a weapon on a citizen unless my life was in danger."

Owens also formerly worked with the Southern Poverty Law Center's Jackson office and served as its representative on a task force recommending reforms to the state's criminal justice system.

ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7zZqroqeeYsSwvsudZqaho6i2tL%2FIqaeiZZOkwq%2FA2GabmqtdpLOntcKeZK2nkpawpLuMrJ%2BoqF2nrqqwxJ1km7Fdm6%2BqecCgnKeso2K1qrrDrGScp6Wjwbp5w6KqraqZmMFurdOtpqumla56q7vDsmSor5WjwG62wJyirKeeYrGww82tprCmXZi2qK3RZpqopaCWu7p5yKetnquknrSiwMiopWabop66pg%3D%3D