There are few details in the case of a 52-year-old man who was arrested last week on a charge of statutory rape.
According to Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office arrest reports, William Clay Hall, of 1794 Steens Road in Steens, was arrested Tuesday morning at his residence. The arrest time was around 8 a.m.
The maximum sentence for the offense depends on the age of the victim.
While the arrest report from the LCSO lists statutory rape as the charge, it cites state statute, 97-3-65, carnal knowledge of a child under the age of 14.
In Mississippi, the age of sexual consent is 16.
Carnal knowledge of a child carries a penalty of death or life in prison, according to the Mississippi Code.
Hall’s bond is set at $50,000.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
