21-year-old Sentenced for Child Molesting in Warren County

Vicksburg, Miss.-Justin Melzer has been sentenced on the charge of Child Molesting in Warren County. He stood before Judge Toni Terrett on Wednesday and was sentenced to 15 years, 10 years suspended, and 5 years to serve. Melzer pleaded guilty to the crime last week.

Assistant District Attorney Branan Southerland represented the state and he asked for a maximum of 15 years. He also pointed out that Melzer’s victim will always remember this and there are consequences for molesting a child.

In October 2022, a 4-year-old alerted an adult and stated that Melzer had fondled him. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office investigated the incident and Melzer confessed to the crime. He was 19 years old at the time of the incident.

In court, Melzer’s attorney pointed out that he was a respectable young man who had never been in any trouble. He asked the court for a light sentence. 

Before being sentenced, Judge Terrett informed Melzer of the seriousness of this crime.

“You seem like a respectable young man but you’ve taken responsibility for a crime that will haunt someone forever,” Terrett said.

Judge Terrett noted that Melzer will have to register as a sex offender when released. 

The 21-year-old will have to serve every day of his five-year sentence.

Previous Indictment Story 2023:

After being arrested in October 2022, Justin Melzer has now been indicted in Warren County.

19-year-old Melzer was charged and indicted on a molestation charge. The victim was under the age of 12 at the time of the incident.

Melzer can take a plea deal or take the case to trial after obtaining legal counsel.

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Editor’s note – a correction was made on the photo caption.