Woman tried to kill victim with bomb, escape jail: Deputies
Share and Follow

Background: Lafayette County Detention Center (Lafayette County Sheriff”s Office). Inset left: Christina Willis (Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office). Inset right: Mark Montgomery (Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office).

A woman in jail for allegedly trying to kill another person with a homemade bomb hatched a plan to escape with a man’s help, Mississippi authorities maintain.

Christina Willis, 27, was charged with attempted murder and planting or placing a bomb, explosive, or weapon of mass destruction earlier this month. A little over a week later, she and Mark Montgomery, 48, were both charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office told Law&Crime.

The case stretches back to earlier this summer, when deputies were called on June 20 about a “suspicious package discovered on a vehicle” in southwest Lafayette County, which is located in the north of The Magnolia State.

“The package was removed by the victim and secured by deputies,” the sheriff’s office said, noting that, three days later, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives helped investigate. Once bomb technicians examined the package — according to authorities — they confirmed it “contained a live, homemade explosive device.”

Investigators set out looking for leads and forensic evidence, and they developed a suspect: Willis.

According to the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office, when officials carried out a search warrant on Aug. 4 at her residence on Highway 35 South in Panola County — Lafayette County’s western neighbor — they found “evidence of bomb-making materials, homemade high explosive substances, firearms, and narcotics,” as well as “another explosive device.”

It is not clear what relationship, if any, Willis had with the alleged victim, nor what motive law enforcement officials believe she had in allegedly making and planting the bomb.

Willis was arrested and placed in the Panola County Jail before being transferred to the Lafayette County Detention Center — but she didn’t plan to stay there long, according to authorities.

The Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office told Law&Crime its investigators were contacted by employees at the detention center on Thursday about “a plan for an escape attempt.” As they started digging, they learned more about the plot, and believed a man – Montgomery – was involved.

On Thursday, Montgomery was given a $50,000 bond. He is being held in the Lafayette County Detention Center and is expected to also be charged federally.

Willis could face federal charges too, after the ATF presents the case to a federal grand jury. She is being held “pending a bond hearing for her original charges.” The specific details into how she allegedly planned to escape were not released.

Lafayette County Sheriff Joey East said following Willis’ initial arrest that he was “very proud of the way all of our local, state, and federal agencies worked together during this investigation.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Army Sergeant Allegedly Caught on Ring Video Repeatedly Striking 3-Year-Old, Authorities Report

Background: The Legend Apartments in Waco, Texas (Google Maps). Inset left: Paul…

Beware: Fake ICE Agent Attempts to Steal Your PlayStation – Here’s What You Need to Know!

In Pennsylvania, a man is facing charges after allegedly breaking into a…

Trump’s Attorney Praises Judge Cannon for Blocking Jack Smith’s Comments on Mar-a-Lago Report

Main: An aerial view of former President Donald Trump”s Mar-a-Lago club in…

Indiana Judge and Spouse Injured in Home Shooting Incident

An unsettling incident unfolded in Lafayette, Indiana, where a local judge and…

Shocking Incident: Group Home Worker Threatens Teen After Search for Missing Necklace

Background: The group home on North 91st Street in Milwaukee, Wis., where…

DOJ Cites KKK Act as Legal Challenge for Don Lemon After Alleged Protest Involvement at Church

Don Lemon interviews Nekima Levy Armstrong about her intentions on Jan. 18,…

Georgia Man Charged for Allegedly Inflicting Severe Brain Injury on Infant Through Violent Shaking, Police Report

A Georgia man has been taken into custody following the discovery of…

Man Arrested for Assaulting Officers and Family Member in Shocking Incident

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a dramatic turn of events yesterday,…