Former coach found guilty of sexual battery at Ridgeland middle school

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Marchenne Hatchett, a 46-year-old former coach and teacher at Old Town Middle School in Ridgeland, has been found guilty of sexual battery by a Madison County jury, WLBT reports. The conviction stemmed from an incident in which Hatchett made inappropriate sexual contact with a 14-year-old female student.

The incident came to light when the student’s mother reported it to the school officials a week after it took place. School authorities managed to retrieve surveillance footage which corroborated the student’s recounting of the events.

In the aftermath, the Madison County School District faces a lawsuit with accusations of attempting to conceal the sexual assault incident.

Hatchett’s sentencing has been scheduled for November 13, and will be presided over by Judge Steve Ratcliff.