William B. Bynum Jr., the president of Jackson State University in Mississippi, resigned effective immediately Monday after his arrest over the weekend at a Clinton hotel on charges of procuring the services of a prostitute, giving a false statement of identity, and possession of marijuana.
The 57-year-old was arrested in a sting along with 16 others, according to police sources cited by the Clarion Ledger.
Mark Jones, spokesman for the city of Clinton, told the Ledger that the two-day sting operation led to eight felony charges and explained that the alleged offenders were contacted through online “dark web” sites, where services were discussed and a local chain hotel was the agreed meeting place.
Shonda McCarthy, director of Jackson State University Art Galleries, was also charged with procuring the services of a prostitute and possession of marijuana while operating a motor vehicle.
Bynum was released from custody Sunday after posting a $3,000 bond, while McCarthy was released the same day after posting a $2,000 bond, police records show.
“I wish we hadn’t arrested anyone, but we’re going to do all we can do to ensure that criminal activity is not going to transpire in the city of Clinton,” Clinton Police Chief Ford Hayman told CBS News’ Clinton affiliate WJTV.
Quiana James, a Jackson State University student, said she always felt proud to have Bynum as her school’s president but said she was embarrassed by the arrest.
“I see him around campus all the time. I’ve held conversations with him and he just seemed like a nice guy, like a family guy,” she said. “I was proud to have him as my president and so to see this, it’s kind of like, ‘Wow I’m embarrassed.’”
At his formal installation ceremony at Jackson State University in October 2018, Bynum’s daughter, Chelsea Bynum-Grant, praised her father for his faith, according to a release from the school.
SOURCE: Christian Post, Leonardo Blair
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