Jury Hands Down Guilty Verdict For Dewberry
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Timothy Aaron Dewberry
WATER VALLEY – A Water Valley man faces a life sentence after he was convicted for sexual battery of a child, fondling a child and child pornography possession in Yalobusha County Circuit Court. Timothy Aaron Dewberry was found guilty on three counts Thursday afternoon, August 17, following a four day trial in Water Valley. The jury deliberated an hour and 45 minutes before returning the verdict.
Dewberry was arrested in March, 2021, for sexual battery of a minor child after the Water Valley Police Department received a tip about a possible crime and launched an investigation. The local police department reached out to the Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services and other agencies for assistance in the case. The case was presented to a grand jury three months after Dewberry’s arrest and he was indicted for sexual battery of a child and fondling a child.
Dewberry was initially scheduled for trial in September, 2022, but it was postponed after he was arrested again three days before his court appearance. The new charge, child pornography possession, stemmed from an ongoing investigation according to law enforcement officials.
Assistant District Attorney Steven Jubera reported that the state presented testimony from the victim, the victim’s family members, law enforcement officials including lead investigator Jason Mangrum, an investigator from the Attorney General’s office, medical professionals, the Family Crisis Center and other experts during the trial.
“The cooperation among the District Attorney’s office, Water Valley Police Department and other assisting agencies including the Desoto County Sheriff’s Department and Attorney General’s office really gave this child justice,” Jubera stated.
Jubera also said the environment in the courtroom during the lengthy trial was tense at times.
“I am going to compliment Sheriff Gooch, his department and other officers who maintained control of that courtroom. They made sure there were no outbursts when the verdict was read and protected the integrity of the jury,” the assistant prosecutor explained.
He also praised Circuit Judge Smith Murphey.
“He maintained ironclad control of his courtroom.”
Jubera was a former assistant prosecutor in the 17th Circuit Court District before transferring to the 3rd Circuit District to work in the same capacity. He worked with law enforcement during the Dewberry investigation in 2021 and 2022 and assisted Assistant District Attorney Marvell Gordon in what is likely his final case to prosecute in Yalobusha County.
Dewberry was represented by Coffeeville attorney Bradley Peeples.
A sentencing date had not been scheduled at presstime. Dewberry faces a maximum sentence of life plus 55 years behind bars.
