MISSISSIPPI
Sun Herald
BY ROBIN FITZGERALD
rfitzgerald@sunherald.com Twitter: robincrimenews
WIGGINS — A former Stone County preacher has been found guilty in the sexual battery of a girl at the church he previously led, District Attorney Joel Smith said.
Carlos Smith, 55, of Saucier, was pastor of Unity Baptist Church and the girl was 11 when the sexual abuse began in 2011 and continued for three years, said the DA, no relation to Carlos Smith.
A Stone County jury delivered a guilty verdict Friday after deliberating about two hours.
Circuit Judge Roger Clark set Carlos Smith’s sentencing for Feb. 15 and ordered him taken into custody.
He faces 20 years to life in prison. Because of the nature of the crime, his prison term must be served with no consideration for early release.
It wasn’t clear how long he had been pastor at the Wiggins church.
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