Robert Triplett, the stepfather of missing Lowndes County woman Kaila Morris, was denied bond Tuesday in Lowndes County Justice Court after being arrested Saturday on charges of exploitation of children.
Justice Court Judge Peggy Phillips denied Triplett bond due to a hold on Triplett imposed by the Mississippi Department of Corrections stemming from a 2003 charge of attempted sexual battery. The charge, filed in Jackson County, was amended to aggravated assault in 2007, but Triplett remained on 10 years probation.
“If (MDOC) release(s) the hold, he would be entitled to a bond,” said Phillips.
Triplett, who was not accompanied by a lawyer at Tuesday”s hearing, must meet with his probation officer to determine why he violated his probation, she explained. A revocation hearing before the sentencing judge will determine whether Triplett will serve time for the 2003 charge due to the recent violation.
Phillips says such revocation hearings typically do not take place immediately following a violation of probation.
Triplett, 56, of 181 Golding Road in Columbus, was the last person to see Morris, 21, before her disappearance from the Golding Road residence Sept. 17.
Explicit images of minors were found on computers seized from Triplett”s home by the Lowndes County Sheriff”s Office during the investigation into Morris” disappearance.
Triplett was also found guilty of forcible rape in Covington, La., in December 1997 and sentenced to serve six years in prison. Those charges were remanded for rehearing in 2001 and reduced to simple battery; after the victim in the case refused to testify, the charges were dismissed.
Triplett served six months in jail and was ordered to pay the victim a settlement of $50,000. He remains in custody at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.
LCSO officials said no evidence has surfaced to directly link Triplett to Morris” disappearance.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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