Jackson Co. sheriff's deputy fired for racial threats

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office fired a deputy after a video leaked online that recorded him threatening another person and using racial slurs.

The video, posted by a man named "David" on YouTube and submitted to the online newsletter the Free Thought Project, shows an Xbox screen with the audio of a conversation between David and former Jackson County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Slater.

David and Slater are in the same chat room using voice chat while playing Xbox Live.

David begins threatening and insulting Slater, and the two exchange heated words.

Slater reportedly gives his address to David, then says, "You about to come to a f-----g paid police officer's house. I get paid to beat up n----rs like you."

He later provides his badge number for proof he is a cop.

Slater's address and badge number are muted in the video, though he is recorded saying he lives in Pascagoula, Miss.

Jackson County Sheriff spokesperson Cherie Ward said the deputy was terminated immediately after the sheriff became aware of the video on Monday.

Ward confirmed it was indeed Slater on the video.

Attempts to reach Slater on Friday were unsuccessful.

"We don't condone that type of behavior or language," Ward said of Slater, who was a patrol deputy who had been employed by the sheriff's department for three years.

Contact Kate Royals at (601) 360-4619 or kroyals@gannett.com. Follow @KRRoyals on Twitter.