A former Noxubee County High School coach received a 15-year sentence Monday for sexual battery of a minor.
Shamaine Roberts, 30, pleaded guilty to the charge before 16th Circuit Judge Lee Coleman, according to District Attorney Scott Colom.
Colom said Roberts engaged in a sexual relationship with a female student who was 16 years old at the time. The relationship occurred between August 2014 and June 2015.
He said the victim reported the matter to a school counselor, who informed law enforcement.
Roberts received a 15-year sentence in the Mississippi Department of Corrections with 10 years suspended, five to serve. Colom said he must also pay a $1,200 fine and undergo five years of post-release supervision.
Roberts must also register as a sex offender after release from prison.
Noxubee County School District officials did not respond to calls for comment by press time.
A Noxubee County Adult Detention Center official said a booking photo for Roberts was not available at press time Tuesday because the jail did not take one of him on Monday.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.