A jury found a Columbus man guilty of one of three charges of sex crimes, in Lowndes County Circuit Court last week. Tommie Harris, 31, will serve at least 10 years at the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
According to court records, on Aug. 24, a jury found Harris, of 2306 North Haven Woods No. 1 in Columbus, not guilty of statutory rape and fondling but guilty of child exploitation.
The incident occurred in February 2010 when Harris tried to “entice, induce, persuade, seduce or solicit” a girl under the age of 18 years old “for the purpose of engaging in sexually explicit conduct,” court records read. Harris was 29 at the time of the incident.
Sixteenth Circuit Judge Jim Kitchens sentenced Harris to 20 years at the Mississippi Department of Corrections, with 10 years suspended if Harris successfully completes five years of post-release supervision, which includes registering as a sex offender. Harris also was ordered to pay $5,000.
Other sentencings
- Ricky Martin, of 1028 Mike Parra Lot No. 7 in Columbus, was sentenced to 15 years in the MDOC for burglary. Judge Lee Howard ordered Martin to pay $3,200 restitution costs and a $1,000 fine, and Martin is recommended for the Regimented Inmate Discipline Program, or RID, a correctional program, which includes paramilitary training and psychological interventions and is designed for non-violent, first offenders.
- James Yearby, of 216 Eighth Ave. N.W. in Vernon, Ala., will serve five years in the MDOC for a previous charge of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine after violating the terms and conditions of his post-release supervision. Howard revoked Yearby”s sentence suspension.
- Cassandra Lindsey, of 1026 Mike Parra Lot No. 6 in Columbus, will serve five years in the MDOC for a previous charge of perjury. Howard revoked the Lindsey”s post-release supervision for violating the terms of her post-release supervision.
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