by Hunter Dawkins, Owner/Publisher – editor@thegazebogazette.com and hdawkins@supertalk.fm
HANCOCK COUNTY (GG) — On Wednesday, June 24 the convictions of former Mississippi State Senator Philip Moran (R-Pass Christian, Kiln, Diamondhead, Bay St. Louis) and Diamondhead City Councilman Alan Moran for the crimes of Bribery and Conspiracy to Commit Bribery. The verdict was delivered by a Hancock County jury after a four-day trial during the June court term. Circuit Judge Christopher Schmidt presided over the trial. Sentencing was deferred until today.
During the trial, the jury heard that in November 2024, Defendant Alan Moran stalked an employee at the retail store in Waveland, Mississippi. At the time of the stalking, Defendant Alan Moran was on probation for Exploitation of a Child and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
An arrest and/or conviction of the stalking would have resulted in Defendant Alan Moran being brought back in front of the Court for a probation revocation. The jury heard that around the same time of the stalking being reported to the Waveland Police Department and officially being filed, that Defendant Philip Moran, Alan’s father, a former Hancock County Supervisor, Mississippi State Senator, and member of the State Parole Board, withdrew $30,000 in cash—in 3 bundles of $10,000 each—from Keesler Federal Credit Union.
A co-defendant, Jeremy Billings, testified that in early December, Defendant Alan Moran contacted him requesting his help. Billings testified that he traveled to the Morans’ business in Kiln, MS where he met with Defendant Alan Moran. Billings said Defendant Alan Moran was upset because he believed he was about to go back to jail and needed Billings’ help.
Billings testified that Defendant Alan Moran then gave Billings bundled cash to convince the stalking victim to drop charges against Defendant Alan Moran. Billings testified that when Defendant Alan Moran gave him the money and the directions, that Defendant Philip Moran was also in the business and could hear their discussion.
Billings testified that after receiving the cash, he asked his friend Ian Schexnayder to go with him to the store in Waveland, make contact with the stalking victim, and deliver the cash. The jury heard, and watched video surveillance from Lowes from December 13, 2024, where Billings and Schexnayder traveled to the Lowes in Waveland and waited for the stalking victim to leave work that day.
As the victim was walking in the parking lot, Billings and Schexnayder made contact with him and offered the victim $10,000-$20,000 to drop the stalking charges against Defendant Alan Moran. The victim did not accept the bribe money and immediately went to the Waveland Police Department and reported the bribery.
The jury heard that after the bribery complaint was made, the Waveland Police Department, along with the FBI, began their investigation into Defendants Philip Moran, Alan Moran, Jeremy Billings, and Ian Schexnayder.
“Investigators obtained phone records of all parties and were able to inform the jury about phone patterns between Defendants Philip Moran, Alan Moran, and Jeremy Billings on significant days during the investigation,” said Assistant District Attorney Matthew D. Burrell, who prosecuted the case along with Assistant DA Chris Daniel.
Defendant Philip Moran argued that he did not have any knowledge of the money being given to Billings or its intent until Billings called him after the failed bribery when Billings was instructed by Defendant Philip Moran to return the money. Defendant Alan Moran argued that his actions were not illegal under Mississippi law.
The jury deliberated a little over one hour before returning their verdict of guilty on all counts.
At sentencing Judge Schmidt stated that this case was about hubris, arrogance, and corruption. Speaking of Philip Moran’s involvement specifically, Judge Schmidt noted that it was most damaging that he committed these crimes while holding a position of public trust (State Parole Board).
The circuit judge sentenced Defendant Philip Moran to fifteen (15) years for the Bribery and five (5) years for the Conspiracy for a total of twenty (20) years, with twelve (12) of those years to be served in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the remaining eight (8) years to be served on Post-Release Supervision. Defendant Alan Moran also received fifteen (15) years for the Bribery and five (5) years for the Conspiracy for a total of twenty (20) years, with ten (10) years to serve in the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the remaining ten
(10) years on Post-Release Supervision. Defendant Alan Moran’s sentence was ordered to run consecutive to his sentence in his prior Exploitation of a Child and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor case. Judge Schmidt had previously revoked Defendant Alan Moran’s probation in that case and sentenced him to serve twelve (12) years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Co-defendants Billings and Schexnayder previously pled guilty to Bribery for their involvement and are awaiting sentencing in this case.
“This case serves as a reminder that our justice system depends upon victims and witnesses being able to come forward without intimidation, pressure, or improper influence. When individuals attempt to interfere with that process, they are not simply breaking the law, they are attacking the integrity of the judicial system itself. The work of law enforcement, the prosecution by the District Attorney’s Office, the verdicts returned by a Hancock County jury, and the sentences imposed by the Court reflect a fundamental principle that no person is above the law, and efforts to obstruct justice carry serious consequences. Public confidence in the criminal justice system depends on the belief that justice cannot be bought. These prosecutions send a clear message that those who attempt to bribe witnesses, influence victims, or corrupt the judicial process will be held accountable,” said District Attorney W. Crosby Parker.
