Jim M. Greenlee, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi, announced today that on Thursday, June 1, 2006, James Harrison of Tupelo, Mississippi plead guilty to the interstate transportation of stolen property in excess of $5,000. Specifically, Harrison plead guilty to devising a scheme to defraud his former employer, Monts Paper & Packaging Company, a fifty-year-old distributing company based in Tupelo, Mississippi. Harrison admitted to defrauding Monts out of more than $1,800,000.

Harrison, the founder of Harrison Signature Properties, has been a developer in the Tupelo area for approximately eight years. His most recent projects are in the East Tupelo area and include Deer Park Phase IV, Hillside Circle, Lake Point, North Creek Village, and Woodbridge. Harrison also owned in part the recently opened Wingate Hotel on Highway 78 East of Tupelo. As part of the plea agreement, Harrison has agreed to make full restitution to Monts and that process, which includes transferring both real and personal property, is underway.

The case was investigated by FBI agent Matthew Bullwinkel. Prosecuting the case for the United States Attorney’s Office was Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Sanders.

It is anticipated that United States District Judge Michael Mills will sentence Harrison following completion of the presentence investigation report by the United States Probation Service in approximately six to eight weeks.

Copies of the Plea Agreement, Criminal Information and Factual Summary are attached.

Point of contact at the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

John R. Hailman, Criminal Division Chief
Dave A. Sanders, Assistant United States Attorney
662/234-3351