A man who confessed to sleeping with a 14-year-old will spend 10 years in prison.
The sentence came after 25-year-old Joseph Ervin had already missed the scheduled sentencing after checking himself into Baptist Behavioral Health Center.
Ervin was indicted for statutory rape two years ago after authorities arrested him for sleeping with a 14-year-old girl when he was 23. His trial had already begun in Lowndes County Circuit Court when he entered an open plea Wednesday. However, Circuit Court Judge Lee Coleman scheduled Ervin’s sentencing for Friday morning after Ervin’s mother fainted in court following his plea.
Ervin checked himself into the health center Thursday night and missed the initial sentencing time Friday, District Attorney Scott Colom said. Lowndes County deputies picked Ervin up and took him back to court where he was sentenced Friday afternoon.
Donna Smith, Ervin’s attorney, did not return calls to The Dispatch by press time.
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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 35 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
