A teacher and coach at Forrest County Agricultural High School was arrested Thursday on an embezzlement charge, according to jail records obtained from the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office.
Thomas Stillman Chambliss, 44, was booked into the Forrest County Jail on May 14, 2026. Jail records confirm the case is currently pending in Forrest County Circuit Court. As of Thursday afternoon, Chambliss remained in custody with no bond listed.
The Forrest County Sheriff’s Office carried out the arrest. No formal statement has been released by the sheriff’s office or by school officials at Forrest County Agricultural High School regarding the circumstances that led to the charge.
Chambliss has been identified in records as both a teacher and a coach at the school, though specific details about his role or the subject he taught have not been made public at this time.
The jail roster does not specify the amount of money allegedly involved, nor does it outline the specific events or conduct that prompted the embezzlement allegation.
Under Mississippi law, embezzlement is defined as the fraudulent conversion of money or property belonging to another person or entity, committed by someone who was entrusted with that money or property through their job or position.
In cases involving school employees, that trust is typically tied to their responsibilities within the school district or organization that employs them. The charge is considered a serious criminal offense and carries significant legal consequences depending on the value of what was allegedly taken.
Because the case is currently pending in circuit court, formal charges and additional details are expected to emerge as the legal process moves forward.
Circuit court cases in Mississippi typically involve felony level offenses, which indicates the seriousness with which the charge is being treated by the state.
The arrest has drawn attention in the local community, given Chambliss’s role at a school that serves students across Forrest County.
Forrest County Agricultural High School is a well-known institution in the area, and news of an arrest involving a staff member has naturally prompted questions from parents, students, and community members about what may have occurred.
It is important to note that an arrest does not constitute a conviction. Chambliss is presumed innocent under the law until and unless he is found guilty in a court of law or enters a plea.
The legal process will determine the facts of the case, and both the prosecution and defense will have the opportunity to present their arguments before any judgment is reached.
Neither the Forrest County School District nor the administration at Forrest County Agricultural High School had issued a public statement as of the time this report was filed.
It is unclear whether the school has taken any internal administrative action in connection with the arrest or whether Chambliss remains employed by the district pending the outcome of the case.
The Forrest County Sheriff’s Office has not indicated whether additional arrests or charges are expected in connection with this matter.
Hattiesburg Patriot News Media will continue to follow this story and report any new developments as they become available, including any statements from school officials, law enforcement, or legal representatives connected to the case.
