Ellington

CLINTON, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi judge has found Jackson State University's former president guilty of misdemeanor charges related to a prostitution sting.

Municipal Judge Steve Boone of Clinton found William Bynum Jr. guilty Wednesday of procuring the services of a prostitute, false statement of identity and possession of marijuana, The Clarion Ledger reported.

Boone ordered Bynum, 57, to pay a $200 fine for the prostitution charge, and fines of $350 each for the other charges. He also was given a six-month suspended sentence on the prostitution and marijuana charges, city spokesman Mark Jones said.

Bynum's attorney has 10 days if he wants to appeal the ruling, Jones said.

Reporters were not allowed in the courtroom because of social distancing requirements established amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Authorities said Bynum was among 17 people who responded to an online ad in February for prostitution services, and were met in the Jackson suburb of Clinton by an undercover police officer at a chain hotel. He resigned his position following the arrest.

Bynum was with the former director of JSU Art Galleries, Shonda McCarthy, at the time of the arrest. She faced charges of procuring services of a prostitute and possession of marijuana while operating a motor vehicle. On June 24, Boone found McCarthy guilty and ordered her to pay a $200 fine for the prostitution charge and $350 for the possession of marijuana charge. She was given a six-month suspended jail sentence on both charges, to run concurrently.