Two Lowndes County men were arrested last week on sex-related charges.
Billy Joe Kemp, 73, was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of sexual battery for two incidents with minors. Marlon Monte Brewer, 49, was arrested Tuesday and charged with one count of failure to register as a sex offender, one count of public drunkenness, two counts of simple assault by threat, one count of domestic violence and one count of shoplifting less than $1,000.
Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said in a press release that deputies received a call in March regarding a minor who said she was molested by a relative.
After interviewing the victim, deputies also learned of a second victim and received an indictment from a Lowndes County Grand Jury earlier this year. Deputies arrested Kemp and booked him into Lowndes County Detention Center. If convicted, he could face life in prison, Hawkins said.
“Someone who preys on the innocence of children for their own sexual gratification is a monster,” Hawkins said in the release. “The indictment alleged he sexually assaulted children who were left in his care. This predator victimized his own relatives and we now look forward to our justice system holding him accountable.”
Suspect allegedly flees to California, then back to Mississippi
Hawkins told The Dispatch Brewer had been traveling between Lowndes County and California over the last several years avoiding charges and a court date.
An indictment on Brewer was filed for failing to register as a sex offender in Lowndes County a few years ago, but he fled to California before being served with it. After being arrested there for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, Brewer fled back to Lowndes County earlier this year to avoid prosecution but was found and arrested by deputies.
Hawkins added that officers in California have requested Brewer placed on hold and could request extradition back there for prosecution.
“They’re wanting to come get him once he is released from us, whether it’s on bond, if he’s convicted or whatever,” Hawkins said.
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