Mississippi Sheriff Caught Receiving Nude Images from Inmate on Social Media Now Faces Prison Time

A former sheriff in Mississippi pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI about his inappropriate relationship with an inmate at the Noxubee County jail.

Terry Grassaree, 61, lied to FBI investigators in July 2020 when he was questioned about requesting nude photos and videos from an inmate at Noxubee County jail, which he oversaw while he was Noxubee County Sheriff, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi said recently.

In March of 2019, Grassaree used a social media platform to request a video from the female inmate, and received multiple nude images in response.

Grassaree responded to the inmate's photos in a "flirtatious and complimentary manner," prosecutors said.

Grassaree used his position as sheriff to solicit the nude images from a female inmate in return for favorable treatment and benefits including the use of a contraband cell phone, tobacco and other items.

The inmate was also made a trustee and given a job cooking in the jail.

He lied to FBI investigators in order to "influence the FBI’s investigation of Grassaree and the treatment of detainees in the Noxubee County jail," prosecutors said.

Grassaree was indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2022, and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 7. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

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One of Grassaree's former deputies, Vance Phillips, also pleaded guilty to using facilities in interstate commerce — the internet and a cell phone — for the purpose of committing the offense of bribery. He also faces a maximum of five years in prison.

TMX contributed to this report.