Bail set for rape suspect

Published 1:48 pm Wednesday, October 28, 2015

A Vicksburg man had bail set at $100,000 in the statutory rape of a girl under the age of 14 at his initial appearance in Municipal Court Wednesday.

James Jefferson Jr. is accused of assaulting the girl on the 1900 block of Sky Farm Ave. Tuesday morning around 5:50 a.m.

The girl was treated and released from Merit Health River Region Medical Center Tuesday.

JEFFERSON

JEFFERSON

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Vicksburg Police Chief Walter Armstrong said this crime was not the result of a home invasion. Jefferson was an acquaintance of the family and was invited to spend the night in the house.

Judge Burke read Jefferson his rights in the empty courtroom before asking him if he had committed previous felonies and where he resided. Jefferson, dressed in an orange jail-issued jumpsuit, answered yes, that he has been charged with prior felonies and that he is a Vicksburg native.

He was being held at Issaquena Correctional Facility Tuesday before his court appearance.

In addition to the $100,000 bail set, Jefferson was also fined $549.50 for pleading guilty to contempt of court for a misdemeanor disturbing the peace charge in July. Jefferson said he intended to pay the fine in full after making a few calls.