Reed pleads not guilty; released on bond

Alex Reed appeared in Madison County Circuit Court Friday afternoon in Judge Kyle Atkins’ courtroom.

Reed has served for nearly five years as the chief of staff for Jackson Mayor Scott Conger since helping Conger get elected in 2019. He was arrested on Wednesday on one count each of stalking and illegal tracking with an electronic device. Conger confirmed to The Post Wednesday evening that Reed has been placed on administrative leave without pay until the matter is resolved.

Reed made his first public appearance since turning himself in Wednesday when he was escorted into the courtroom Friday with a wink and a nod to a handful of friends and family who were there to support him in the hearing.

Reed’s attorney, Tim Crocker, officially issued a not guilty plea on behalf of Reed.

Reed is also charged with a separate count of illegal tracking with an electronic device in Chester County and will appear in court there on Tuesday.

All charges have the alleged same victim, according to prosecutor Mike Dunavant.

Atkins set Reed’s bond at $5,000, and he was released later in the afternoon.

All counts against Reed are misdemeanors with a maximum punishment of 11 months and 29 days in jail each, that according to prosecutor Mike Dunavant, could be served concurrently or consecutively if convicted of both.

His criminal record is nearly spotless with one DUI charge from nearly a decade ago. Dunavant did mention uncharged violations from his time serving the Arkansas Secretary of State.

The next court appearance for the case is on June 3 when they're set for a status hearing.

The charges against Reed stem from an investigation conducted by Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agents in September requested by Jody Pickens, the attorney general for the 26^th Judicial District that includes Madison, Chester and Henderson counties. After the investigation was complete, Pickens recused himself from the case, and Dunavant and Meghan Fowler were appointed to prosecute the case.