Five instances of statutory rape have been reported to the Jones County Sheriff’s Office this year. The accused in one of those cases was sentenced by Circuit Judge Billy Joe Landrum to serve 13 years with the Mississippi Department of Corrections. He also faces seven years of post-release probation.

Sentences, depending on the ages of those involved, can approach 30 years and even life in certain circumstances.

“One thing that we’ve found with any crime since we took office is that people have figured out that we’re going to do what’s right and we’re going to enforce the law,” Sheriff Alex Hodge said. “More crimes are being reported because we’re connecting with the community and gaining a lot of trust and confidence of the people. People are coming forth and reporting more crimes. When they come to us with a complaint, we look into it. If the law has been broken, we present it to the grand jury and they decide whether or not to indict.”

Hodge said that even though more cases of statutory rape are being brought to light, he said there is also a change in society that is a major factor in the increase in the number of the cases.

“It has a lot to do with the societal breakdown,” he said. “We’ve allowed more things to become more acceptable. I am not making excuses for it; I 100 percent support abstinence before marriage. As parents we really need to stay focused. Society has become a lot more relaxed as a whole.”

Hodge stressed that statutory rape is consensual sex between someone 17 years old or older and someone under 16 years old. There are, however, varying degrees of ages defined in the law.

The state of Mississippi defines statutory rape as: When any person 17 years of age or older has sexual intercourse with a child who: is at least 14 but under 16 (14-15 years old); is 36 or more months younger than the person; and is not the person’s spouse; or a person of any age has sexual intercourse with a child who: is under the age of 14, is 24 or more months younger than the person; and is not the person’s spouse.

Sentences, taking into consideration the foregoing ages differences, range from no more than five years; no more than 30 years (and no more than 40 years for each subsequent offense). More serious offenses carry the possibility of life in prison.

Cases reported in Jones County this year involve a 19-year-old and a 12-year-old; a 24-year-old and a 20-year-old with a 15-year-old; a 25-year-old with a 12-year-old; and a 22-year-old with a 14-year-old. If convicted, some of those arrested could face life in prison under state law.