OKTIBBEHA COUNTY – A former Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District teacher was convicted Wednesday of three counts of touching a child for lustful purposes.
A jury found Kelvin Lamar Stanfield, of Okolona, guilty on all counts, and he was sentenced to serve 10 years in the custody of Mississippi Department of Corrections.
The sentence is mandatory under state law, and Stanfield is not eligible for early release or parole, according to a press release from the 16th Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
The charges stem from incidents between March and May 2024 involving students at Starkville High School, where Stanfield was employed as a teacher and coach.
A Dispatch investigation into the arrest found school district officials were slow to notify Mississippi Department of Education officials of credible allegations against Stanfield as required by state law, failed to directly read Starkville Police Department into the situation and waited more than two weeks into the investigation before notifying the district attorney’s office.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence demonstrating Stanfield engaged in unlawful and inappropriate contact with multiple minors, the press release said.
“These convictions reflect our office’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and holding offenders accountable,” District Attorney Scott Colom said in the press release. “The courage shown by these young victims in coming forward made this outcome possible. We recognize how difficult it is to speak out, and we stand firmly with those who do.”
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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 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
