The fall session of Attala County Circuit Court started over the last couple of weeks with plea days, sessions in which the court reviews and authorizes agreements between the District Attorney’s Office and suspects set for trial. Those pleading guilty during these sessions are sentenced.
What follows are brief descriptions of actions taken in relation to violent crime charges:
Ronnie L. Tucker pleaded guilty to aggravated assault after originally pleading not guilty. Judge George Mitchell accepted the state’s recommended sentence of 10 years, with five of those years spent in custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) followed by five years of supervised probation. The aggravated assault took place on May 12, 2020, in what was described as a “road rage” incident. Following a dispute, Tucker caused bodily injury to the other involved party by hitting the victim in the head with a baseball bat. Ordered by the court to pay $4,000 in restitution, Tucker paid $2,000 following the sentencing and will pay off the remaining $2,000 over the next five years. He will also pay court costs and fees, as well as fees related to the supervised probation period.
Denzarius M. Eubanks changed a previous not-guilty plea to guilty for statutory rape. State evidence showed that Eubanks intentionally and feloniously had sexual intercourse with a female minor under the age of 14 between Dec.1 and Dec. 31, 2020. Judge Mitchell accepted the state’s recommended sentence of 20 years, with five of those years spent in custody of MDOC and 15 years on post-release supervision. He was given credit for seven months and 15 days of time served. While serving time in MDOC custody, Eubanks will not be eligible for parole or early release due to state law. Under post-release supervision, Eubanks will spend five years reporting and 10 years not reporting. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Kevin E. Caouette, facing two counts of sexual battery, changed a non-guilty plea on the second count to guilty. On the first count, Caouette pleaded guilty to knowingly and feloniously engaging in sexual penetration with a child under the age of 18 between May 1, 2009, and Oct. 26, 2017. This occurred when he was in a position of authority and trust over the child. On the second count, prosecutors said Caouette knowingly and feloniously engaged in sexual penetration with another child under the age of 18 between Jan. 1, 2014, and Oct. 11, 2019. This also occurred when he was in a position of authority and trust over the child. Judge Mitchell accepted the state’s recommended sentence of 30 years for count one and 30 years for count two. The sentences will run concurrently.
Phillip K. Cummings pleaded guilty to violating his probation by receiving traffic offenses in Montgomery County while on supervised probation for possession of a firearm by a felon and shooting at or into a motor vehicle. He was arrested in Montgomery County for an expired license plate and possession of methamphetamine. The district attorney’s office filed a motion for adjudication of guilt based on violations of his terms and conditions of probation. Judge Mitchell accepted the state’s recommended sentence of 73 days of time served and four years of post-release supervision, while waiving the methamphetamine charge. Cummings has also been 10 months behind on supervision fees.
