Philip Moran wants his bribery sentence delayed. Here are the details
Former Mississippi state Sen. Philip Moran is asking a judge to delay his sentencing, which is scheduled for Thursday in Hancock County, following his convictions last week for bribery and conspiracy. Moran and his son, former Diamondhead councilman and convicted sex offender Alan Moran, each face up to 20 years in prison on both charges.
A jury convicted the father and son after just over an hour of deliberations. Circuit Court Judge Christopher Schmidt set the sentencing date the same day the jury convicted the father and son last week.
In a court filing, Philip Moran's attorney, H.H. "Tracy" Klein, asked Schmidt to postpone sentencing pending completion of a pre-sentence investigative report, arguing it is necessary to ensure a "just and proper sentence" for the 65-year-old Moran.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the judge had not ruled on the request.
According to the records, Klein is asking that the report include a description of the crimes and the circumstances surrounding them, Moran's criminal history and other factors, including the economic, physical and psychological impact the crimes had on the victim. The attorney also requested information about Moran's current financial condition, educational background, employment history and current employment status. Philip Moran testified during the trial that he is retired.
Alan Moran’s attorney, Donald Rafferty, has not asked for a delay in sentencing. Alan Moran is already serving a 12-year prison sentence for violating his probation on a felony child exploitation conviction.
A Hancock County grand jury indicted the Morans on charges of bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery in a scheme to bribe a stalking victim to drop charges against Alan Moran.
The Morans, along with co-defendants Jeremy Billings and Ian Schexnayder, devised a scheme to offer Alan Moran’s stalking victim, Slade Miller, $20,000 to drop a misdemeanor stalking charge. Miller rejected the offer and reported it to Waveland police.
Billings said the Morans promised to pay off a truck loan in exchange for him offering the bribe, and Billings said he expected to be paid $10,000 for his role in the crime.
Philip Moran had made a $30,000 cash loan withdrawal on a CD on Nov. 18, 2024, at Keesler Federal Credit Union in Diamondhead, which authorities believe was the same money used in the bribery attempt.
Assistant District Attorneys Chris Daniel and Matthew Burrell prosecuted the case in Hancock County Circuit Court last week.
Billings and Schexnayder are set for sentencing next week. Each pleaded guilty to one count of bribery and testified against the Morans at the trial.
Assistant District Attorneys Chris Daniel and Matthew Burrell prosecuted the case.
