JSU president resigns following arrest in prostitution sting in Clinton, Mississippi

The president of Jackson State University resigned Monday following his arrest during a prostitution sting in Clinton over the weekend.

Clinton police arrested William Bynum Jr., 57, and charged him with procuring the services of a prostitute, false statement of identity and possession of marijuana.

He was among 17 people arrested, according to Clinton police.

Also arrested was Shonda McCarthy, director of JSU Art Galleries. She was charged with procuring services of a prostitute and possession of marijuana while operating a motor vehicle.

Who is William Bynum?: From controversial JSU president to a prostitution sting

The Board of Trustees of the Institutions of Higher Learning went into an emergency executive session in Jackson just after noon Monday to discuss interim leadership at JSU. Trustees named Thomas Hudson the interim president. Hudson previously served as chief operating officer and special assistant to the president.

Mark Jones, spokesman for the city of Clinton, said Monday that the two-day operation led to eight felony charges. He said police made contact with the alleged offenders through online "dark web" sites, where services were discussed. A local chain hotel was the agreed meeting place.

'Multistate' prostitution ring?

Clinton Police Chief Ford Hayman, speaking to the media Monday, said it's possible several of those arrested could be part of a "multistate" prostitution ring. Four of the suspects, all from Memphis, were charged with felony counts of promoting or conspiracy to promote prostitution.

The charges include prostitution, procuring the services of a prostitute, promoting prostitution, conspiracy to promote prostitution and also controlled substance violations.

Bynum was released from custody Sunday after posting a $3,000 bond. McCarthy was released the same day after posting a $2,000 bond, according to police records. It was not immediately clear whether Bynum or McCarthy is represented by an attorney.

The chief said the sting didn't turn up any evidence of human trafficking.

"We've been trained on human trafficking. We have resources. We haven’t uncovered any evidence of a human trafficking operation. It looks to be a prostitution operation," he said.

Bynum described as God-fearing man

Bynum was described as a God-loving, God-fearing man on the university's website. His biography has since been removed.

He is married and the father of six children.

The IHL, which oversees the state's largest universities, appointed Bynum as JSU president in May 2017. Bynum replaced Carolyn Meyers, who resigned from the post in October 2016.

Before his tenure at JSU, Bynum served as president of Mississippi Valley State University for four years.

Who was charged in the prostitution sting?

William Bynum Jr., 57, Jackson; procuring services of a prostitute, false statement of identity, and simple possession of marijuana.

Shonda McCarthy, 46, Jackson; procuring services of a prostitute and possession of marijuana while operating a motor vehicle.

Holly Ann Wheaton, 35, Springfield, Tennessee; prostitution

Steve Hampton, 57, Jackson; promoting prostitution, possession of crack cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia

Anthony Bowman, 48, Vicksburg; procuring services of a prostitute

Fredrick Robinson, 41, Jackson; promoting prostitution

Sierra Case, 23, Jackson; prostitution

Sheena Stanford, 35, Jackson; promoting prostitution

Taylor Ducre, 30, Angie, Louisiana; prostitution and possession of cocaine

Eric Jackson, 34, Jackson; promoting prostitution

Naketa Williams, 37, Jackson; prostitution

Rosella Brown, 25, Canton; prostitution

Alexis Miller, 23, Memphis; conspiracy to promote prostitution

Temeela Palmer, 31, Memphis; prostitution and conspiracy to promote prostitution

Joseph Jones, 30, Memphis; conspiracy to promote prostitution

Jesus Porrata, 31, Memphis; promoting prostitution

A 17th person was arrested but no further information was immediately made available by law enforcement.

Jones said the police department did not identify any patterns or activity to suggest that prostitution is prevalent in Clinton.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Justin Vicory at 769-572-1418 or jvicory@gannett.com. Follow @justinvicory on Twitter.