David Archie faces multiple charges after arrest during meeting

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Hinds County deputies arrested County Supervisor David Archie during a special meeting Thursday morning.

The news comes less than 24 hours after supervisors voted Archie out as vice-president.

The elected official became disruptive and used foul language Thursday in the middle of the meeting as his peers tried to conduct business.

“His conduct became more and more disorderly,” Interim Sheriff Marshand Crisler said.

In the video that was edited by the county, the board voted unanimously to remove the county supervisor after several outbursts.

Archie started yelling and you could hear him swearing as officers began to handcuff the elected official and escort him out of the meeting.

“He began to get up and tear up public property including the banners and podium that the supervisors have installed to protect them from COVID,” Crisler said.

Archie now faces several charges, including breaching the peace, disorderly conduct, prohibition of public business being conducted in a formal meeting, destruction of public property, and resisting arrest.

“The law does not respect person or position, and anybody that violates the law will be held accountable just as any other citizen in Hinds County,” Crisler added.

Deputies said they did what’s called a field release, which means Archie was never taken to jail; only arrested, detained, and charged.

What happens next is up to Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens.

It’s not out of the ordinary for Archie to cause a scene in board meetings. He has all but declared war on three supervisors he has characterized as “two dummies” and a “40-year con man.”

For months, the supervisor has maintained he’s against the high-level politics of Board President Credell Calhoun and corruption he argues is happening within Hinds County.

Hours after his release, Archie held a press conference defending himself and arguing that he is still board vice president and will continue fighting for the county.

“I’m taking hits from all different types of people. It is perhaps because I am in their pocket. I’m gonna continue to be in their pocket. As long as the citizens of Hinds County are mistreated, tax dollars misspent, I will fight for the citizens of Hinds County to make sure that the streets and roads are repaired, ditches are cleaned, your grass is cut, making sure the corruption is no longer.”

Archie went on for about 15 minutes comparing himself to civil rights icons, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Medgar Wiley Evers, saying he’s fighting for what’s right. He also claims he broke no laws and never resisted arrest but instead, braced himself during the scuffle where he injured his hand.

Watch Archie’s entire press conference here.

Nevertheless, Interim Hinds County Sheriff Marshand Crisler said he hopes Thursday’s arrest sends a strong message to all.

“If anyone enters a public meeting, they must conduct themselves appropriately,” he said.

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