RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – A 51-year-old man pled guilty to statutory rape in Rankin County.

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett said Don Edd Woods, 51, was sentenced to 30 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) for the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl. He will serve 15 years without the possibility of early release or parole.

Upon his release, Woods will be under the supervision of the MDOC for an additional five years and will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

The case originated on November 26, 2023, when two adults reported to Rankin County deputies that a child had disclosed to them that Woods had been sexually abusing her. They said the abuse began in 2022, but the child was too afraid to report it initially.

“We are committed to protecting children in our community and holding perpetrators accountable,” said Bramlett. “We are grateful for the brave individuals who provided a safe space for this child to share her experience and for the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, which works tirelessly to guard our children from sexual predators.”