City man convicted of child molestation
Published 12:00 am Saturday, September 10, 2011
A Vicksburg man was found guilty this week of molesting a child under the age of 14.
Following the Thursday verdict in Warren County Circuit Court, Thomas Gerhold, 25, 139 Meadowbrook Drive, was handcuffed and led out of the courthouse across Grove Street to the Warren County Jail.
Gerhold showed no reaction as the verdict was read, said Brenda Theriot, victim assistance coordinator for District Attorney Ricky Smith.
The mother of the victim, however, sobbed with relief. “I couldn’t be happier,” she said in a telephone interview. “He got what he deserved. I hope (my daughter) has set a good example for other kids her age that they can come forward.”
Judge M. James Chaney, who presided over the three-day trial that began Tuesday with selection of the nine-woman, three-man jury, will sentence Gerhold Sept. 20. He faces a possible 15-year prison sentence and because he has been convicted of a sex crime, will not be eligible for parole or early release. He also will have to register as a sex offender.
Gerhold was arrested Nov. 1 and indicted in May by the Warren County Grand Jury.
Also in circuit court for the week ending Friday:
• Christopher Galloway, 37, 1402 Maulding Drive, Apt. C, after being found guilty by a jury Aug. 15 of possession of a firearm after felony conviction, was sentenced by Chaney to four years in prison followed by four years of probation, plus a $1,500 fine and $322.50 in court costs. Galloway was arrested Feb. 25.
• Robert Eugene Head, 22, 103 Galtney Drive, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit a felony and was sentenced by Chaney to one year in the Intensive Supervision Program (house arrest) followed by two years of probation, plus a $1,000 fine and $322.50 in costs. Head was arrested July 12.
• Roderick Deon Lane, 30, 309 Shady Lane, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and burglary of a dwelling and was sentenced by Chaney to eight years in prison followed by five years of probation, plus a $5,000 fine and $322.50 in costs. Lane was arrested Sept. 14.
• Anthony James Lewis, 20, 320 Fisher Ferry Road, Apt. 44, pleaded guilty to robbery and aggravated assault and was sentenced by Chaney to 10 years in prison followed by five years of probation, plus a $2,000 fine, $639.45 in restitution and $322.50 in costs. Lewis was arrested Dec. 5.
• Gregory Mason, 19, 300 Overlook Drive, pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen firearm and receiving stolen property and was sentenced by Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick to 253 days in jail followed by five years of probation, plus a $1,000 fine, $440 in restitution and $332.50 in costs. Mason was indicted by the grand jury in July.
• Harold Powell, 41, 2817 Ken Karyl Ave., who pleaded guilty Aug. 17 to possession of a controlled substance and possession of a firearm after felony conviction, was sentenced by Chaney to eight years in prison followed by eight years of probation, plus a $1,500 fine and $322.50 in costs. Powell was arrested Jan. 28.
• Louis Gene Remont Jr., 54, 2860 Scott Road, pleaded guilty to failure to notify change of address as a registered sex offender and exploitation of children and was sentenced by Chaney to five years in prison followed by five years of probation, a $10,000 fine and $322.50 in costs. Remont was indicted by the grand jury in May.
• Ricky Lee Sims, 43, 32 Pauline Drive, pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and was sentenced by Chaney to 337 days in jail followed by five years of probation, plus a $1,000 fine and $322.50 in costs. Sims was arrested Oct. 5.
• Kendrick Valentine, 24, 106 Kelly Circle, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced by Patrick to the Ninth Circuit Court Drug Court Program for a period not to exceed five years, plus a $3,000 fine and $1,297.50 in costs and fees. Valentine was arrested March 4.
• Maverick Lee Wigley, 20, 103 Smith Road, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and was sentenced by Chaney to three years of probation, plus a $1,000 fine and $622.50 in costs. Wigley was arrested Nov. 16.
• Jamie R. Woods, 27, 1617 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd,, Atlanta, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm after felony conviction and simple assault on a law enforcement officer and was sentenced by Patrick to two years in prison followed by five years of probation, plus a $3,000 fine and $322.50 in costs. Woods was indicted by the grand jury in May 2010.