Biloxi City Councilman Robert Deming Resigns after pleading guilty in U.S. district court
The Ward 4 city councilman for the city of Biloxi Robert Deming has stepped down effective ommediatly following his guilty plea in US district court.
Biloxi city councilman Robert Deming has announced he will be stepping down from his ward 4 council seat.
Deming has held his seat for 3 terms but is required to resign by state law after pleading guilty to a federal charge in US district court last week. During the press conference
The federal case charged Deming with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.
The indictment against Deming was announced last September and originally charged him with 2 counts of intent to distribute as well as another charge of destruction or alteration of records in a federal investigation. The 2nd intent to distribute and the destruction or alteration of records charges were dropped as a result of Deming taking the guilty plea.
This all stems from synthetic cannabinoid vape products being sold at his CBD stores called “The Candy Shop” which are located in Mississippi and North Carolina.
As of right now sentencing for Deming is set for August 13th.
During the press conference Deming appeared to be emotional when he made the announcement that he would be stepping down effectively immediately.
After making the announcement he did not take any questions, leaving many to wonder what’s next for the city of Biloxi?
The empty council seat will need to be addressed at the next Biloxi city council meeting where the council will have to place a resolution on the agenda to set up a special election.
Once mandated the special election must be held within 45 days, where the process for candidates to fill that seat begins.
