Joseph Mickens (Credit: public domain)
COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) — A former Columbus city councilman and vice mayor is facing felony charges after a Lowndes County grand jury returned an indictment accusing him of participating in a scheme involving city contracts and money laundering.
The Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Joseph Mickens, who served as the Ward 2 councilman for more than 15 years.
Mickens is charged with laundering a monetary instrument and offering inducements to influence an award of contracts.
Marcus Dawson (Credit: public domain)
A second man, Marcus Dawson, owner of HVAC & Mechanical Co. LLC, was also indicted in connection with the case.
Authorities arrested both on Thursday morning.
The investigation was conducted by the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office, which presented its findings to the Lowndes County grand jury in July.
According to the allegations in the indictment, Mickens and Dawson are accused of working together to manipulate the city’s contracting process for their own financial benefit.
Investigators allege Mickens worked to secure flooring contracts through the city, despite allegedly being ineligible to receive those contracts.
In exchange, prosecutors allege Dawson would receive future city HVAC contracts, along with cash payments that the two allegedly worked together to conceal. (Read more: WBLT, 1/13/2026) (Archive)