Child Rapist sentenced to life in Warren County

A Vicksburg man has been sentenced in the Warren County Circuit Court on 10 counts of Possession of Child Pornography and two counts of Sexual Battery of a Child under the age of 14.

Judge Toni Terrett handed Carl DeAnthony Smith two life sentences plus 40 years for each count of child pornography that totals to 400 years that will run concurrently.

“To the family of the victim you didn’t deserve this, especially knowing that he fell victim to the hands of a predator,” Terrett said.

In early December, Smith was found guilty on all 12 counts where the jury took only 14 minutes to decide his fate.

During the two-day trial, the state provided evidence that Smith sexually abused a teenage boy and confessed to having sex with that child at least twice when he was 10-years-old. 250-500 pictures and videos of other children, including infants were found on Smith’s phone.

This began after Smith was questioned at the Vicksburg Police Department during an investigation concerning another case. He agreed to let Investigator Jerald Hayes go through his phone where he found the child pornography. Hayes then contacted Deputy Chief Troy Kimble who sought a search warrant that led to other disturbing images being found.

Assistant District Attorney Branan Southerland, assisted by ADA Liem Walker, prosecuted the case where the state asked for the maximum sentence which was granted by Judge Terrett.

“This man took this little boy and raped him I would imagine more than twice,” Southerland said. I know his mother doesn’t believe it but he deserves life. I can’t get those images out of my head and I imagine that anyone who saw them feels the same.”

The victim’s aunt spoke at the sentencing and shared some heartfelt words toward Smith.

“Where you are going there are no little boys, they are grown men in there so welcome to the big league,” the aunt said.

Smith will have to serve every day of his life sentences plus the 40 years extra.

Southerland and Walker speaks on the case.

Click the link to learn more about the case.