DESOTO COUNTY, MS (abc24.com) - There's more new information about an accused killer, who was just arrested for possessing drugs. Police also found a missing young woman from Southaven at his house. This is not the first missing person's case that's led to Whitten.
James Allen Whitten, Jr. is the Hernando man awaiting trial for a 2011 hit and run murder.
He's a convicted felon who spent almost 20 years in prison for serious drug crimes. Police say that, with the murder charge, makes Whitten a very dangerous man.
"Under the circumstances of why he is out on bond, yes, I would say so. Especially for someone going over to his house like that," says Southaven Lieutenant Mark Little. He just closed a missing person's case: a 22-year-old whose mother reported her missing.
"Her mom started receiving some Facebook messages that she was being held against her will," Little tells abc24.com.
Officers traced her to James Allen Whitten's home in Hernando.
"We asked him if this young lady's here, she's just reported missing. Even though she's an adult, we have to be sure she's not in harms way," Little says. "He said she wasn't there, but he wouldn't allow us inside to look."
Police got a search warrant late Wednesday night and found her there. While at the house, Little says officers found methamphetamines, heroin, marijuana, morphine, Xanax and brass knuckles.
Whitten was arrested. The 56-year-old was already out on bond for a 2011 murder charge.
23-year-old Sarah Jones was found dead in December 2011. Jones was hit while riding her bicycle on Oak Grove Road, half a mile from Whitten's house.
Despite an age difference of more than 30 years, neighbors said Whitten and Jones were dating.
Investigators are warning women to think twice about Whitten.
"Within the recent past, the sheriff's office had another missing person report located at the residence," Little says.
Police say the 22-year-old told them she was not being held against her will.
Whitten is now in the DeSoto County Jail without bond. His murder trial is set to begin May 13.
