Man who hid cellphone in buttocks at Warren County Jail sentenced to 15 years

VICKSBURG, Miss.(VDN) — A man who hid a cellphone in his buttocks at the Warren County Jail has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Fabian Chapman was sentenced by Judge James Chaney after being convicted in February. It took jurors less than 20 minutes to return a guilty verdict. Chapman was sentenced as a habitual offender.

During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that officers discovered Chapman concealing a cellphone in his buttocks during a routine intake search at the jail. Investigators testified that Chapman initially refused to turn around during the search. He later complied and squatted, at which point the phone became visible.

Chapman was being held at the jail at the time on charges related to stealing more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from Walmart in Vicksburg.

Assistant District Attorney Branan Southerland represented the state. Southerland told the court that Chapman has been arrested approximately 20 times over the years on felony charges outside Warren County and has at least 15 misdemeanor arrests in other jurisdictions.

Southerland requested a 15-year sentence to be served day for day. The request was granted.