Federal probation officer detained without bond on child porn charges

WILLIAM MOORE, Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo
·2 min read

OXFORD – A Yalobusha County man arrested on federal child pornography charges last month will remain in custody until his case comes to trial, in the same U.S. District Court where he used to work.

Lonnie Everill, 44, of Water Valley, was a U.S. Probation officer when he was indicted April 23 with distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

During a detention hearing Monday, a special judge ruled that there was combination of conditions that would assure not only Everill’s appearance at future court proceedings and also protect the safety of the community. For that reason, Magistrate Judge Andrew Harris ordered Everill to remain in federal custody. Harris and Judge Daniel P. Jordan, who is the chief judge in the federal courts south Mississippi district, were assigned the case to avoid any conflict of interest with the judges of the northern district.

According to the order, Everill shared pictures of identifiable minors from north Mississippi wearing bathing suits and cheerleader uniforms on websites known for child pornography. A search of his house, farm and vehicle revealed 49 firearms. Some of those were ghost guns and lacked serial numbers. At least one weapon was capable of firing armor-piercing ammunition.

According to the formal complaint presented April 12, Everill started contacting a California man in January through an online chatroom that focused on underage girls. The man, who was an undercover online FBI agent, claimed he was sexually active with his 9-year-old niece and offered her to Everill.

The discussions led Everill to arrange a meeting in Fresno, California, in late February. The complaint said Everill took pictures of the airline tickets and sent them to the undercover agent.

When the west coast FBI agents contacted the Oxford office with the name of the suspect, the local agents realized the suspect was a U.S. Probation officer.

The case against Everill is currently scheduled to go to trial June 24 in Oxford.