A Gulfport man will spend decades in prison after sexually abusing and impregnating a minor, authorities announced Tuesday.
43-year-old Leonard Michael Roberts pleaded guilty to sexual battery and exploitation of a child. Following the plea, Circuit Court Judge Christopher Schmidt sentenced him to 40 years, with 30 years to be served in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
The case began when the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana. Authorities there reported that a 17-year-old minor had given birth at a local hospital and told staff and law enforcement that Roberts was the child’s father.
The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office then arranged for the minor to undergo a forensic interview. During the interview, the minor said the acts occurred on Smith Road in Harrison County. Based on those statements, investigators obtained search warrants for Roberts’ DNA and his residence.
Assistant District Attorney Matthew Burrell, who prosecuted the case, said the DNA results showed a 99.99% probability that Roberts was the child’s father. Investigators also seized and examined his cell phone, where they found videos and images of the minor, leading to the additional charge of exploitation of a child.
“I can’t think of many things worse, short of homicide, than the crimes of which you’ve now entered your guilty plea,” Judge Schmidt told Roberts after the plea hearing.
Due to the nature of the crimes, the 30-year sentence must be served day-for-day without the possibility of parole or early release. Upon release, Roberts will be placed on five years of post-release supervision and will be required to register as a sex offender.
