Federal Raid Targets Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens II’s Cigar Business Amidst Growing Scrutiny from Investigative Journalist Jerry Mitchell

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, federal agents stormed the cigar business owned by Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens II, as well as his office at the courthouse. The Downtown Cigar Company, where the raid took place, is just a stone’s throw away from the Hinds County Courthouse where Owens serves as a prosecutor.

FBI spokeswoman Marshay Lawson confirmed that federal search warrants were being executed at multiple locations, but she refused to disclose any further details about the investigation or why Owens’ office was targeted. She emphasized that public safety was not at risk and that the affidavit supporting the search warrants was sealed by the court.

During the raid, Owens was not present in his office and did not respond to emails or phone calls seeking his comment on what had happened. Meanwhile, journalist Jerry Mitchell’s investigative reporting has had a significant impact on various cases, leading to the imprisonment of Klansmen and a serial killer, as well as exonerating individuals on death row and exposing injustices and corruption. Mitchell’s work has resulted in investigations, reforms, and even led to dismissals of boards and officials implicated in wrongful acts. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and winner of numerous national awards, Mitchell left his position at Clarion-Ledger in 2019 to establish Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting.