Former Hancock County dispatcher charged with trafficking drugs

A former Hancock County dispatcher is accused of trafficking drugs in the county.

Sheriff Ricky Adam said 20-year-old Tempest Ariana Martin of Diamondhead was charged Wednesday with conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute. Her bond was set at $25,000.

Adam said an investigation showed that Martin was traveling to Covington, Louisiana to buy large quantities of counterfeit oxycodone laced with fentanyl and bringing back to Mississippi to be sold.

Martin was a 911 dispatcher for Hancock County and also worked as a corrections officer. She resigned her position with Hancock County when she was arrested Wednesday.

“While this is a regretful outcome, people in positions of trust who choose to betray the public’s confidence in them are most definitely held to a higher standard and rightfully so,” Adam said. “We will continue to seek out criminals who put these dangerous drugs on the streets of Hancock County, as we firmly believe that no one is above the law.

“The safety and well-being of our community remains our top priority, and you can rest assured that the emergency services provided by our dedicated team of dispatchers will continue uninterrupted. We will work tirelessly to ensure that our community can rely on us to respond to emergencies promptly and professionally.”

The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are pending, Adam said.