Pike County Constable Oliver James has resigned after allegedly being caught on video receiving an improper payment of $35.

County supervisors accepted the resignation this past week. Supervisors will appoint a constable to serve until a special election in 2010 to complete James’ term. James was elected in 2007.

District Attorney Dee Bates tells the Enterprise-Journal in McComb that James was videotaped accepting money. Bates says he gave James a choice of resignation or prosecution.

Bates says James had told a friend about a warrant for her arrest on a misdemeanor bad check charge. Bates says the woman paid off a bad check and an $80 fee before being arrested.

Bates says the James told the woman she owed him $35, the fee he would have collected for serving the warrant.

Bates says the woman contacted authorities, who set up the sting.