A Starkville man accused of burglary and felony escape from jail was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to his charges on Tuesday in Clay County Circuit Court.

Depriest Gray, 30, received a 25-year sentence for a July 2014 burglary of a dwelling and a five-year sentence for his Oct. 15, 2015, escape from Clay County Jail. The sentences will run consecutively.

Mississippi 16th Circuit District Attorney Scott Colom said in a press release Gray was convicted as a habitual offender and is not eligible for parole or early release.

“Prior to his latest offenses, Mr. Gray had been previously convicted of two violent crimes,” Colom said. “This prosecution and sentence gives Mr. Gray a long time to think about his choice to commit violent offenses and pose a threat to this community.”

Gray was previously convicted for an armed robbery and burglary incident in Oktibbeha County.

Gray has escaped twice from the Clay County jail. On Oct. 15, 2015, he escaped by tearing out the covering to an air vent on a ceiling and crawling through the air conditioning unit to the roof, according to Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott. Oktibbeha County law enforcement officers found Gray on South Montgomery Street in Starkville after the escape.

On July 23, Gray broke out of the jail again — this time through an expanded portion of the ceiling holding a light fixture. Officers found Gray a few hours later with his girlfriend on Frontier Drive in Starkville.

Colom said a charge for the second escape won’t go before a grand jury due to Gray’s plea.

Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.