Senatobia Police Department is actively seeking the whereabouts of a possibly dangerous individual following a high-speed chase Saturday, March 11.
While downtown Senatobia was filled with revelry and spectators attending the city’s Beast & Brews event, SPD officers were searching for 24-year-old Deiontei Rayshad Ballard of Sardis.
At approximately 1 p.m., SPD officers initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of U.S. Highway 51 and Porter Street on a silver Infinity belonging to Ballard. When officers ran the tag, Ballard was shown to have active warrants for fleeing law enforcement.
According to reports, officers approached the vehicle to speak to Ballard. During the interaction, Ballard refused to cooperate and exit the vehicle. Ballard then sped away heading south on Highway 51. SPD pursued Ballard through town and into Panola County.
Reports indicate Ballard turned his vehicle into his own driveway located on Highway 315 in Sardis. Ballard then exited his vehicle and fled on foot through neighboring yards and into a wooded area near his home.
During the pursuit, SPD notified Panola County Sheriff’s Office of the situation and requested assistance in apprehending the suspect.
Both agencies arrived on scene of Ballard’s vehicle to search the vehicle and to set a perimeter in order to locate the suspect.
According to Senatobia Police Assistant Chief Matt Defore setting a perimeter is standard protocol in situations when attempting to apprehend a fleeing suspect. Once the perimeter is set, officers then deploy K-9 units and drones to narrow down the search radius.
“This is a common tactic,” said Defore. “Usually, it involves the coordination between agencies and is very common.”
Upon searching the vehicle, officers located a semi-automatic rifle with a high-capacity magazine on the driver’s side. Officers were unable to determine if Ballard was armed with more firearms when he fled the vehicle.
SPD Chief Richard Chandler said additional requests for assistance were made to Desoto County Sheriff’s Office for the use of the department’s drone. According to SPD reports, DCSO deputies arrived on scene, but were called away abruptly before deployment of the drone.
Chief Chandler said Panola County deputies notified SPD officers there was an active warrant stemming from a felony aggravated assault charges against Ballard in Panola County.
SPD body camera video captured an official with Panola County advising SPD officers to clear the scene and PCSO deputies would apprehend Ballard. In the footage, the PCSO official stated he knew the family and would locate Ballard.
Chief Chandler said this is not a typical response from agencies.
“SPD requested assistance from Panola County Sheriff’s Office during the pursuit which is common practice. Our officers were advised by the Chief Deputy that he knew the family and we could leave. He said he would have them bring him in later. It is not the practice of SPD to leave a dangerous criminal on the loose because someone knows their family,” said Chandler. “We requested additional resources from several different agencies to help us apprehend the suspect, and they were circumvented by Sheriff Phelps. As you can see in the video, the deputies were standing in the driveway instead of assisting on the perimeter as requested. Hot pursuit is not a new concept to law enforcement. It is a regular practice to help other agencies apprehend actively fleeing suspects in neighboring jurisdictions even across state lines.”
Chief Chandler said he’d never encountered this behavior before.
“As of today’s date, the suspect has not been turned in by Panola County, as we were advised,” said Defore.
Tate Record reached out to Panola County Sheriff Shane Phelps, but he refused to comment.
SPD charged Ballard with felony fleeing law enforcement, misdemeanor fleeing, and 10 additional misdemeanor charges. A bond was set for $110,700. Anyone with information on Ballard or his location may contact SPD Detective Brannon Rushing at 662-562-5642.
