(05/09/08 - Initial BBT Report)

Ronald Nichols, 37, a math teacher at Grace Baptist School in Byhalia, Mississippi has been arrested and charged with sexual battery by an authority figure.

It is alleged that Nichols went to the home of one of his female students last Friday afternoon when no one other than the student was home and kissed and fondled her.

Following his arrest Nichols is being held at the Shelby County Jail and will appear in court next week.

References:

Byhalia Teacher Arrested for Kissing, Fondling Student (05/09/08)

Teacher Accused of Sexual Battery of Student (05/09/08)

Mississippi teacher charged with fondling student (05/09/08)

Cedric Smith, 36, former teacher and baseball coach at Poplarville High School, in Poplarville, Mississippi has pleaded guilty to the statutory rape of a 14-year-old female student.

Smith allegedly had sex with the girl in December 2006 at the high school baseball field after practice was over.

According to the Sun Herald:

A member of the girl’s family said this week that Smith had taken the girl to his truck on the school campus, where the incident occurred. After he was arrested by Poplarville police, an investigation uncovered suggestive cell phone voice and text messages that Smith had sent to the girl, the family member said.

Sentencing is set for November and Smith faces up to 30 years in prison.

1/25/08 - Sentencing

Cedrick Smith was today sentenced to 20 years in prison for statutory rape, however 13 years of Smith’s sentence was suspended.

Reference:

Ex-Poplarville coach sentenced for having sex with student (1/25/08)

Former Poplarville Coach Pleads Guilty To Sex With Student (9/07/07)

(9/08/07 - Initial BBT Report)

James Donald Nowlin, 61, a retired former basketball coach at Northeast Jones High School, in Laurel, Mississippi has pleaded guilty to federal charges that he used his computer to lure a minor into sex.

Nowlin who retired as the boys basketball coach after 32 years with Northeast Jones High School turned himself in to the FBI this past week.

Nowlin came to the attention of authorities on a tip from the public about his on-line activities.

It was alleged that between November 2006 and March 2007 that Nowlin used his computer to communicate with a person he knew to be under the age of 16, with the intent to entice, encourage, offer and solicit the individual to engage in sexual activity.

Nowlin could face up to life in prison at sentencing.

12/10/07 - Sentenced

James Nowlin has been sentenced to 46 months in prison and five years supervised release as the result of his September guilty plea on federal child predator charges.

References:

Retired Jones County teacher sentenced on sex charge (12/10/07)

Retired coach admits cyber-sex scheme (9/08/07)