Greene County man pleads guilty to sexual battery on a child

A Leakesville man will spend 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual battery on a child.

Joseph Herman Beckwith Jr., 23, was accused of sexually assaulting a then-2-year-old child in Greene County.

Judge Kathy King Jackson sentenced Beckwith to 30 years, with 20 to serve day-for-day and 10 on probation. He also must pay a $1,500 fine, $1,000 to the Mississippi Children’s Trust Fund, $100 to the Victims Compensation Fund and all court costs.

He also must register as a sex offender.

“As I’ve said before, our children are our treasure. They are our future. They are the most vulnerable of our society,” said District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath. “When someone steals their innocence, violates their trust, and inflicts wounds that last a lifetime – we will hold them accountable.  Child predators are not going to get away with abusing our children.”