Two 17-year-old Columbus High School students have been charged with statutorily raping a 14-year-old girl at her house in the New Hope area.
Jeremy Valentine and Shermaine Eckford, who both live in Columbus, were visiting the girl”s house at the end of July when the alleged rape occurred, said Lowndes County Sheriff”s Office Investigator Ryan Rickert.
The defendants were charged with statutory rape, although the charges could be modified pending the outcome of the investigation, Rickert said.
They were arrested at school and released on $20,000 bonds, Monday.
Columbus Municipal School District will assign the students to alternative school at Brandon Central Services until the case is settled.
In convicted, the pair could face school discipline up to expulsion, but such matters are handled on a case-by-case basis, according to district spokeswoman Janet Lewis.
Other arrests
The following other felony arrests were reported by the Sheriff”s Office:
- Eric Roby, 25, of 1216 Eighth Ave. N., was arrested Monday at Leigh Mall by Columbus police after he was caught on camera taking a large amount of cash out of a mall employee”s purse. He was charged with grand larceny, more than $500, and malicious mischief.
- Marlos Monte Jones, 30, of 1709 Third Ave. S., was arrested by police Saturday at the Columbus Fairgrounds on a charge of possession of cocaine and marijuana.
- Johnathon Allen Lovato, 19, of 805 Tuscaloosa Road, was arrested Saturday by the Columbus Police Department on charges of selling marijuana, speeding and littering.
- Sharice Nicole Lewis, 24, of 2018 Highway 69 S., was arrested Friday by Columbus police on two counts of acting under false pretenses.
- Brian Key Gartman, 23, of 513 Hildreth Road, was arrested at his house Friday by the Sheriff”s Office on a charge of receiving stolen property.
- Coreislia Ferguson, 19, of 605 Sixth St. S., was arrested on a charge of shoplifting, more than $250 in goods.
- Lashunda Marie Tyler, 25, of 156 Applewood Drive was arrested on a charge of shoplifting, more than $250 in goods.
Both Ferguson and Tyler were arrested by Columbus police Aug. 5 for shoplifting from the Belk department store on Highway 45 North.
- Michael Scott Lawley, 43, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., was arrested Aug. 4 by the sheriff”s office in Lauderdale County on a charge of grand larceny more than $500.
- Shondolyn Brown Underwood, 32, of 805 Spruce St., was arrested Aug. 4 by Columbus police on a charge of burglary after she allegedly broke into a shed.
- David Adam Berry, 19, of 1634 Tabernacle Road, was arrested Aug. 4 by Columbus police on a charge of burglary.
- Michael Anthony Standifer, 40, of 2226 Third Ave. N., was arrested July 31 by Columbus police on a charge of DUI, third offense.
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