Man Lost In Swamp: Family Blames Police

A man is lost in a swamp and his family blames police. James Irby, Jr., age 55, was pulled over during a routine traffic stop. Police report that he resisted arrest, ran into the swamp, and has now been missing for over a month.

Officers with the Wells Police Department in Mississippi state that they asked Irby to exit the vehicle so they could conduct a search. They report that he became combative after they discovered a “small amount” of marijuana.

As reported by WREG, the officers used a taser to subdue Irby when he resisted arrest. They stated that Irby then managed to break free and ran off into the swamp. The Memphis native is now lost in the swamp, and his family blames the police.

Irby’s family contend that the officers’ story is impossible. James Irby reportedly suffers from several medical conditions that have rendered him weak and frail. Viola Johnson, Irby’s sister, explains that her brother is sick with gout and cancer:

“I’ll never believe that he kept on running from the condition that my brother was in. I’ll never believe it … That’s the reason why y’all been giving us all the round around … You just done killed him and took him off somewhere else.”

As reported by News Channel 3, The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department has searched several different locations in a attempt to find Irby or his remains. Sheriff Bill Rasco explains that it is a priority as they want the family to have some closure. He has not commented on the family’s allegations of foul play.

The Walls Police Department has refused to comment on the incident.

The Memphis man is still lost in the swamp and his family wants answers. They refuse to believe a sick man could have escaped police, specifically after he was tased.

[Image via Wikimedia]