A former Mississippi substitute teacher has been sentenced to two decades behind bars for sex crimes against students.
Keshawn Trevyune Belcher, 22, of Gautier, pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of touching a child for lustful purposes and five counts of exploitation of a child. According to a release from the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office, Belcher sent explicit videos to students and admitted in court to kissing a 13-year-old student while serving as a substitute teacher at Ocean Springs Middle School.
Belcher also admitted to sending videos of himself masturbating to students through Snapchat and asking them to meet and “cuddle,” the release continued. The crimes took place during and after Belcher’s time as a substitute teacher at OSMS in April of 2023.
Circuit Court Judge Kathy King Jackson sentenced Belcher to concurrent terms of 40 years, with 20 years suspended, leaving 20 years to serve in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Belcher will also be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his post-release life.
“This defendant had a responsibility to look out for the well-being of his students,” D.A. Angel Myers McIlrath said. “Instead, he chose to prey on them and to use his position of authority to solicit sexual favors. I commend the quick action of the students involved to stand up and shine a light on the defendant’s sexual deviance. Their bravery prevented the abuse from escalating further, protected our children, and ensured the defendant was held accountable for his crimes.”
