SESSER, Ill. - The hubris-filled former mayor of the little town of Sesser in north Franklin County has finally been busted on a serious enough charge to make headlines even mainstream media can't avoid: Meth Possession.
Ned Mitchell, the 70-something former mayor whose obnoxious behavior toward the end of his way-too-long reign in the city (on and off, from 1980 to 2013) helped contribute to his election loss in 2013, was arrested yesterday (January 15, 2019) on a Possession of Methamphetamine charge in Franklin County and reportedly spent the night in the Franklin County lockup.
Over the years (and prior to Disclosure going online, which is why there are no links in this text), Disclosure reported Mitchell's oftentimes salacious doings in Sesser, a couple of those reportedly contributing to his divorce filings. However, nothing was ever done with the guy, apparently because he had everyone so flummoxed (or possibly in fear) that they would cover for him, to his ex's great dismay (they finally got divorced in 2011, at which time it was reported that he had taken up with a VERY-much-younger chickie.)
Still, errbody jess LURVED thur mayor...until 2013, when he was finally defeated in the election that spring by Jason Ashmore, who just a couple of years ago secured a second term.
Somewhere there in his reign, Mitchell was apparently appointed to a temporary position as state senator in the 59th district, too...no surprise, as southern Illinois seems to have a problem with making appointments of obnoxious people. to prominent offices.
And then, of course, there's all the former controversy surrounding Mitchell's kid Justin, and Justin's relationship with former Badge Bunny Brittney Lane, which association, as you can read at the links, probably helped the Brittster avoid serious charges in the death of motorcyclist Terry Rawson in late 2014.
It's nice to finally see some of the more obnoxious POs (public officials) of downstate Illinois be called out for their doings...but as most southern Illinoisans know, for every one that's found out, there are literally hundreds of others doing the same and continuing to get away with it.
We'll follow up on this situation as we can. Be watching.