A woman from Leake County has admitted to setting fire to a home belonging to a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The incident occurred in the Pearl River Community, and the guilty plea was entered on June 12, 2025.
Court documents reveal that Lashandell F. Thomas, aged 25, attempted to burn down the residence by igniting a fire inside the home in September 2021. Thomas faced indictment in January 2022.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon for the Southern District of Mississippi. The investigation was conducted by the Choctaw Police Department.
Thomas is set for sentencing on October 10, 2025, with potential penalties reaching up to life imprisonment. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district judge who will consider both U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin J. Payne and Brian K. Burns.
