Vicksburg native sentenced in statutory rape case

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — A Vicksburg native has been sentenced after pleading guilty to statutory rape.

Robert Early was sentenced to 20 years with two years to serve in the Mississippi Department of Corrections. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim and must register as a sex offender after his release.

Early was 17 years old when he was arrested in 2024 after being accused of having sexual intercourse with a child who was 12 years old. He was arrested on Locust Street by Warren County Sheriff’s Office deputies and members of the Vicksburg Police Department after a crime-stopper tip came in.

At his initial court appearance, he was denied bail by Judge Marcie Southerland. 

Early was indicted back in February for the statutory rape charge. He must serve every day of his two year sentence.