Two Biloxi Critics Arrested on Electronic Communications Charges

BILOXI, MS (GC Wire) — Two outspoken critics of Biloxi city leadership — both involved in federal lawsuits against the city — were arrested Tuesday on communications-related charges, raising new questions about the nature of the allegations and the events leading up to their arrests.

The Biloxi Police Department confirmed to GC Wire that Jarrod Fusco and Yuri Petrini have both been charged with obscene electronic communications. Each is being held on a $1,000 bond and is being transferred to the Harrison County Adult Detention Center.

Fusco, an Air Force Master Sergeant who operates the Facebook page Biloxi Politics Uncensored, told GC Wire that both he and Petrini received phone calls instructing them to turn themselves in.

“We received a call saying there was a warrant and were being asked to turn ourselves in,” Fusco told GC Wire just before entering the police station.

Authorities have not publicly identified the specific communications underlying the charges.

Critics of City Hall

Both Fusco and Petrini have built platforms centered on criticism of local government.

Fusco’s Facebook page describes itself as “Biloxi Political News, Opinion, Sarcasm, and Satire,” warning readers: “If you’re easily offended, this is the wrong place for you.” His posts often mix commentary with sharp rhetoric aimed at public officials.

In a recent post, Fusco wrote:

“If you are committing crimes and believe your connections to Biloxi City Hall or the Municipal Court… will protect you, you are mistaken.”

In another, he referred to Mayor Andrew as a “post turtle,” a metaphor used to describe someone elevated to a position they did not earn.

Petrini, meanwhile, operates the website PeopleVsBiloxi.com, which describes its mission as:

“An independent investigation into the machinery of municipal corruption and constitutional overreach, rigorously documented through sworn testimony, federal filings, and the public record.”

The Charge: Obscene Electronic Communications

Fusco and Petrini have been charged under Mississippi Code § 97-29-45, a state law that criminalizes certain types of electronic messages.

The statute generally applies to communications made by phone, text, email, or social media that are intended to harass, threaten, or alarm another person. It can include messages that are obscene, abusive, or repeatedly sent in a way that causes distress.

The charge is typically prosecuted as a misdemeanor, though the specific circumstances—such as the content of the communication and whether there is a prior pattern of conduct—can affect how the case proceeds.

At this stage, authorities have not publicly identified:

• the specific messages at issue
• when they were sent
• or who received them

Without those details, it remains unclear what conduct investigators allege violated the statute.

Biloxi Public Affairs Manager Cecelia Dobbs Walton confirmed the arrest was based on a private filing. “Both Fusco and Petrini turned themselves in on a private affidavit and will be transferred to Harrison County,” she said.

A private affidavit means the case was initiated by an individual citizen rather than law enforcement, with a judge determining there was sufficient basis to issue a warrant.

‘Taken to County’

As of Tuesday, both men remain in custody pending transfer to the county detention center. An official with Biloxi Police Department told GC Wire both men will be “taken to County” after processing. It is not yet clear whether formal court filings have been made or when initial appearances will occur.

GC Wire has requested additional information from the Biloxi Police Department and will update this story as more details become available.