Despite pressure from residents, Diamondhead officials won’t comment on councilman’s arrest
Despite pressure from concerned citizens, Diamondhead city officials will not comment on the arrest of Ward 2 Councilman Alan Moran.
City attorney Derek Cusick released a statement Friday afternoon, nearly two weeks after a Valentine’s Day incident involving Moran and a teenage boy in Hancock County.
Moran, 34, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault and contributing to delinquency of a minor or child. He is accused of buying the teenager beer and inappropriately touching him while in a work truck belonging to the pest control company owned by Moran’s father, Republican State Sen. Philip Moran.
The victim’s father and others detained Alan Moran at a Kiln gas station until Hancock County deputies arrived.
Deputies also recovered a phone Alan Moran tried to dump before his arrest, according to the arrest report.
The Sun Herald has reached out to Alan Moran, Philip Moran, Mayor Nancy Depreo and other members of the City Council since Moran’s arrest.
“The City Council is aware of the arrest of councilman Alan Moran,” Cusick said in the release. “Upon my advice they are not going to make any further comments on the matter, as there is an ongoing investigation by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.”
Under Mississippi law, the Council and mayor do not have the authority to force Moran to resign, Cusick said, adding that city officials “are not privy to details on the investigation.”
Alan Moran has not resigned from his seat as of 5:15 p.m. Friday.
Cusick’s statement comes after residents Terry and Laura King wrote the mayor and City Council demanding they take action and make a public comment about the arrest.
“By remaining silent on this issue, it gives the impression that our city is condoning and protecting Moran,” Laura King said. “I understand that he (Alan Moran) has only been charged and not convicted, but the actions he has been accused of are particularly troubling.”
Cusick said the city may comment later at an “appropriate” time.
“The city is not turning a blind eye to the serious nature of the allegations and the well-being of the community,” he said in the release.
This story was originally published February 25, 2022 at 5:20 PM.
