Jackson, MS-- A Moss Point man is going to jail for exploitation of a vulnerable person, announced Attorney General Jim Hood today.

Damien Jenkins, age 41, of Moss Point appeared before Judge Kathy King Jackson in Jackson County Circuit Court Wednesday and entered an open plea of guilty to one count of exploitation.  An open plea means the defendant threw himself at the mercy of the court. 

Jenkins was sentenced to eight years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections with five years suspended, three years to serve, five years post release supervision, a $1,000.00 fine, $100.00 to the Victim’s Compensation Fund, and restitution of $386.48 in addition to all court costs, fees and assessments.

Jenkins, who was working at a care facility in Jackson County, stole the SIM card from a patient’s cell phone and used it in his phone for approximately two months.  When erroneous charges appeared on the patient’s bill, an investigation ensued which led to Jenkins.  Upon questioning by Investigator Kelly Edgar of the Attorney General’s Office, Jenkins gave a confession.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Garland Lyell of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.