Law enforcement officials arrested 17 people in northern Mississippi early Tuesday morning in connection with the investigation of the death of Jessica Chambers, the Clarion-Ledger is reporting.
The arrests, while not directly related to the death of Chambers, came out of the investigation into the 19-year-old's murder, authorities said.
Chambers was found badly burned by the side of the road in near Courtland, Miss. on Dec. 6, 2014. She was taken to a hospital in Memphis where she died. She had been doused with gasoline and set on fire.
The arrests were part of what authorites have called "Operation Bite Back" which focuses on crimes involving suspected gang members. There have long been rumors that Chambers' death had something to do with gang activity in the area.
The 17 were arrested on charges ranging from child endangerment to possession of stolen firearms and narcotics sales, the Clarion-Ledger story reported.
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