In a unanimous verdict handed down Thursday, a Warren County jury consisting of four women and eight men found 69-year-old Elza C. Sanders guilty of sexual battery of a victim under the age of 14 and molesting.

Assistant District Attorney Branan Southerland presented the case on behalf of the state. Sanders was represented by attorney Eugene Perrier.

The case relates to an incident that took place in Warren County in 2015, when the victim, her mother and siblings were residing with Sanders. The victim, now 17 years old, testified on the stand about the occurrence. At the time of the assault, she was eight years of age.

The victim testified that, until the assault happened, her relationship with Sanders was good, and she regarded him as a good provider. The assault happened when the victim’s mother and two older sisters left the home to go to a casino and her younger siblings were asleep, leaving her alone with Sanders. After the incident, she told no one. Her mother passed away in 2021.

In December of 2021, following an assault by a different perpetrator, the victim was referred to the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), where forensic interviewer Charlene Barnette spoke with the victim. The purpose of the CAC is for trained counselors to conduct interviews regarding alleged abuse with children so the child does not have to repeat the story numerous times to different agencies. The CAC only takes referrals from law enforcement or other government agencies in cases of alleged child abuse and neglect.

Barnette testified that, during this interview with the victim, which was recorded at the time and played in court, the revelation of a previous molestation involving Sanders was revealed. After the disclosure of the second incident of abuse, Barnette reported the incident using a Child Protective Services hotline. Barnette testified that it is common for a more recent event of abuse to trigger memories of abuse from years before.

The victim’s older sister testified to the timeline, stating she was certain of the time period in which the victim, her mother and other siblings lived with Sanders.

Warren County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) Lt. Stacy Rollison testified the sheriff’s office became aware of the allegations on December 13, 2021 – the same day of the victim’s interview with Barnette. The victim later came to WCSO and identified Sanders as her attacker. Rollison testified that it is not the practice of the WCSO to interview victims in sex crime cases if they are under the age of 12 when the crime occurred, so her interaction with the victim was limited to identifying the perpetrator.

Dr. Scott A. Benton of the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) and a professor of pediatrics and director of the Children’s Safe Center testified about an examination of the victim conducted at UMMC. He testified that, in 95% of cases, there is no physical evidence of sexual assault in a child, even when there is proof of the assault through a video, pregnancy, disease transmission or by other means. He reported the victim’s physical examination findings as “non-specific.”

During the final day of trial Thursday, Sanders testified in his own defense. He acknowledged that the victim, her mother and two younger siblings resided with him for three years – from 2013 until 2016. Sanders said he worked as a long-haul trucker and was gone for large amounts of time. He said he provided a home, food and clothing for the victim, her siblings and mother. He testified that the mother of the children never left him alone with them and denied assaulting the victim.

In closing, Southerland pointed out that the victim’s testimony in 2021 to investigator Barnette and her testimony on the stand this week were consistent. He reiterated the statistic that 95% of sexual assault cases have no physical evidence.

Perrier argued the only evidence in this case was the victim’s statement, and that was not enough to convict.

Sanders was found guilty on both counts. He is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday, Oct. 10.