Newton, MISSISSIPPI

Sentenced to 20 years on each count with all but three years and six months suspended.


Jan 3, 2007 - The Newton Record recalls the top stories of 2006, and an award winning coach.

ARRESTED Steven Harris, 30, Newton County High School teacher and assistant coach, was arrested and charged in October with two counts of statutory rape and three counts of sexual battery for alleged involvement with a teen-age girl.

Superintendent of Education Billy Pierce said Harris was asked to leave in May. Harris is currently being held in the Newton County jail and will likely go before a Newton County grand jury this month. the earliest possible court date will be in April of this year.

Oct 18, 2006 story. Arrest notes "Harris is being held in the Marion County jail on $150,000 bond on the two charges and is also on a retainer by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation since charges are pending against him in another county."

ADDITIONAL CHARGES Jan 25, 2007 - Additional charges of statutory rape and sexual battery were later brought against Harris in Newton County, where he had previously been employed. The charges against Harris in Marion County are awaiting grand jury review. [INDICTED May 1.]

INDICTED May 1 - A Marion County grand jury has indicted for allegedly having sex with a student.

Officials in Newton County said they also had concerns about Harris' contact with a female student, when he was an assistant baseball coach in Decatur.

GUILTY PLEA July 11, 2007 - Harris pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual battery. In addition to the Marion County charges, Harris also is facing two counts of statutory rape and three counts of sexual battery for incidents in Newton County.

SENTENCED: Harris was sentenced to two 20-year terms for two counts of sexual battery today. The judge suspended all but three years and six months of each of the sentences. Harris, 31, will spend at least seven years in prison.

He will be required to register as a sex offender and will not be allowed to teach again.. He still faces two counts of statutory rape and three counts of sexual battery for incidents in Newton County.