A Columbus High School student was arrested yesterday and charged with one count of statutory rape.
Jonquil Veonquez Laquinshay Ball, 18, of 325 17th St. N, was taken into custody Thursday morning at the high school and arrested at the police department after questioning.
In the state of Mississippi, statutory rape is defined as when a person 17 years of age or older has sexual intercourse with a child who is at least 14 but under 16 years of age, is 36-or-more months younger than the person and is not the person’s spouse. It is also defined as a person of any age who has sexual intercourse with a child who is under the age of 14 and is not the person’s spouse.
It is still considered statutory rape regardless of whether the victim gave consent.
Municipal Court judge Nicole Clinkscales issued a bond of $5,000.
Ball’s court date is set for Nov. 1.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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