No bond for man captured for burglary, wanted for sexual battery

WARREN COUNTY, Miss. (VDN) — Judge Marcie Southerland determined there would be no bond for a man after hearing charges against him for sexual battery and burglary.

Monday night, a call was made about a burglary in progress at a residence near Grayline Road in the county. When deputies arrived, they found a male near that scene. After identifying him, it was determined that he had outstanding misdemeanor warrants with the City of Vicksburg. As it turns out, the home where the break-in occurred was his former residence, and it took some time for deputies to determine that he had moved out a few months ago after he broke up with his girlfriend, who still lived there.

Investigator Dustin Keyes with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office investigated the burglary. During the process of that investigation, it was determined that the suspect was also wanted for charges of sexual battery that had yet to be presented to the Grand Jury.

Appearing before Judge Marci Southerland in his preliminary hearing was Justin Cantrell, 29, who relayed to the court that he was homeless.

Prosecutor Michael Warren presented on behalf of the people and called Investigator Dustin Keyes to the stand. Keyes testified that on January 26, he was notified of a burglary at a residence near Grayline Road. The suspect, Cantrell, admitted to Keyes that he had been in the residence. That admission established probable cause with the court. Warren then presented to the court that in November, a charge of sexual assault was levied against Cantrell by his former girlfriend. She alleged Cantrell assaulted her then 9-year-old daughter.

Judge Marcie Southerland heard the evidence and found probable cause to arrest him for the burglary. Judge Southerland then ruled on whether to set a bond for Cantrell for the additional charges of sexual battery of a 9-year-old female. “Given the gravity of the crime, a crime that carries a life sentence, giving the defendant a bond at this time would create a danger. So no bond will be given.”