Hancock sheriff’s candidate charged, denies threatening former MS Coast teacher
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Former Hancock deputy charged with misdemeanor simple assault; trial set for April.
- The victim is a former teacher in the Bay Waveland School District.
- The ex-teacher’s license was revoked due to alleged misconduct in MS School District
A former Hancock County deputy running for sheriff is also awaiting trial on a misdemeanor simple assault charge for allegedly threatening a former teacher in the Bay-Waveland School District, according to authorities.
According to reports obtained through a records request, Channing Reynolds is accused of assaulting former North Bay Elementary teacher Alfredo “Freddy” Roman Childs in June.
The alleged incident occurred June 22 as Childs and another man, identified as Reggie Childs, were checking out at Harbor Freight on U.S. 90 in Waveland.
Alfredo Childs told police he was at the register when Reynolds began yelling at him, allegedly accusing him of being a pedophile and threatening to “beat his (expletive),” and “find him later,” and other verbal threats.
Reynolds had left the store by the time police arrived.
The investigation
At the store, Waveland police officers spoke with an employee who said he heard Reynolds call Childs a pedophile. Police also noted the store had video footage of the encounter.
At the time of the report, Alfredo Childs told police he did not want to pursue charges but wanted the incident documented. Childs later decided to press charges against Reynolds.
Before leaving the store, Childs asked officers how to obtain a copy of the video footage.
Reynolds is among those planning to run in the special election for Hancock County sheriff in November. Several others have already qualified to run for the seat after former Sheriff Ricky Adam stepped down citing health concerns.
The Sun Herald reached out to Reynolds for comment.
“I did not threaten anyone, and I have pleaded not guilty to the charge,” Reynolds said. “I am confident that when all the facts are presented in court, it will be clear that this was not a criminal act. Out of respect for the legal process, I will not comment further while the case is pending.”
His attorney, Donald Rafferty, said he and his client “look forward to our day in court.”
Attorney Matthew Schloegel is representing Childs.
“What has been said about Mr. Childs is false and defamatory,” Schloegel said. “We represent him, we stand by him and will be protecting his rights against whatever may come. ”
A misdemeanor simple assault charge is punishable by a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both.
Allegations of educator misconduct
Though Alfredo Roman “Freddy” Childs has not been charged with a crime, records obtained by the Sun Herald from the Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Educator Misconduct show his teaching license was recently revoked for five years.
The revocation followed a report from the Bay-Waveland School District on May 16, 2024, alleging Childs violated the Mississippi Educator Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
According to the records, Childs violated state provisions requiring educators to maintain a professional educator/student relationship by “soliciting, encouraging, participating in or initiating inappropriate written, verbal, electronic, physical or romantic relationships with students.”
The final revocation order was signed March 17, 2025, the records show. Childs can reapply for a teacher’s license after the five-year period under an agreement with the Board of Education.
Meanwhile, Reynolds is set to go to trial in April before Special Judge Desmond Hoda. Waveland Municipal Judge P.J. Mauffray recused himself from presiding over the case.
