U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

100 W. Capitol Street
Suite 1553
Jackson, Mississippi 39269

Contact: Deborah Madden
(601) 948-5000

For Immediate Release
November 2, 2006

WINSTONVILLE MAYOR, CONTRACTOR ARRESTED

MILTON D. TUTWILER, age 57, Mayor of Winstonville, Mississippi, and KENNETH "TED" BLOCKETT, age 42, owner of Templebloc, Inc., Cleveland, Mississippi, were arrested this morning, without incident, by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigative Division (IRS-CID) and the Mississippi State Auditor's Office. The Cleveland, Mississippi Police Department provided assistance. TUTWILER and BLOCKETT were indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi on October 24, 2006. They are charged with Title 18, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 371 (Conspiracy), Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1001(a) (Providing False Documentation), and Title 18, U.S.C. 666(a)(1)(a) (Misapplication of Funds). These charges stem from the construction of the Mound Bayou Chemical Plant (MBCP), a federally funded project. The Town of Winstonville, i.e., TUTWILER, received funds for the construction of MBCP from the Mid-Delta Empowerment Zone Alliance (MDEZA). MDEZA provides grants from monies obtained through the federal government to communities that are less fortunate and in need of industry and jobs for the people of those communities. BLOCKETT, the construction manager, and TUTWILER conspired to obtain monies from the grant by submitting false documents and misapplying those funds for their own personal gain.

The investigation which led to these indictments was a cooperative effort between the FBI, IRS-CID, the Mississippi Auditor's Office and the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Mississippi. FBI Special Agent in Charge John G. Raucci praised the efforts of all the agents and agencies involved in the indictments and arrests of TUTWILER and BLOCKETT. "The law enforcement community in Mississippi works together on a variety of investigations, to include public corruption and government fraud. We have recognized the great benefits that are derived from forming partnerships at all levels."

TUTWILER and BLOCKETT have been transported to Greenville, Mississippi, where they will be held pending their initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Eugene M. Bogen at 2:30 today. If found guilty of the charges pending against them, TUTWILER and BLOCKETT face up to 35 years imprisonment and $1,500,000 in fines.