Mississippi man sentenced to 15 years on robbery charges

A Mississippi man who has been in jail since being accused of robbing a man in Red Bay on New Year’s Eve 2009 has been sentenced to serve 15 more years after reaching a plea agreement with the Franklin County District Attorney’s office.

Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said Gerald James White, 32, 923 High School Avenue, Columbia, Miss., pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery after agreeing not to apply for probation.

Red Bay police officers arrested White on Dec. 31, 2009, after the victim in the case reported a robbery at a hotel in Red Bay.

Reports indicate the victim became an acquaintance to White after the two met at the hotel and had a meal at a local restaurant earlier in the day.

Reports show both the victim and White were staying at the same hotel in Red Bay when White busted into the victim’s room and held the victim at knifepoint while stealing an assortment of items belonging to the victim.

The knife was later found to be a box-cutter in the shape of a knife.

Red Bay Police located White hiding in a dumpster behind the hotel and arrested him on the same day.

Authorities said all the victim’s property was recovered and given back in the case.

“The Red Bay officers who made the arrest made the case really strong against Mr. White by accomplishing what they did the day of the incident,” Rushing said.

“When someone commits a senseless crime against a friend or family member, we tend to lean towards getting a lengthier sentence for the person who commits the crime and we are happy with the results regarding this case.”

Rushing said his office felt 15-years was appropriate for the Class A felony against White and is satisfied that the case ended smoothly.