Man Gets Two Life Sentences for Sexual Battery

Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney John K. Bramlett, Jr., announced that on February 22, 2021, Judge Steve Ratcliff sentenced Keith Lamar Reeder, 47, to concurrent life sentences on two separate sexual battery charges. He must also register as a sex offender and have no contact with the victims.

On May 16, 2020, Pearl Police Department received an emergency call from an individual seeking assistance because a man was in her home holding her and two children against their will. When Pearl Police officers arrived on the scene, they located Reeder hiding in the attic. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Reeder used a knife and forced his way into the home. He robbed and assaulted one of the occupants and physically and sexually assaulted the juveniles in the home.

All three victims were taken for medical treatment at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Upon their release, the juveniles were interviewed by the Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center. Reeder made a partial confession to the Pearl Police Department during his interview.

Reeder faced charges of burglary, kidnapping, child abuse, aggravated assault, armed robbery, statutory rape, gratification of lust and sexual battery as a result of his heinous actions inside the home in Pearl on May 16, 2020. He was indicted as a habitual offender, meaning he had two or more prior felony convictions. Rather than proceeding to trial on all charges, Reeder pled guilty to two counts of sexual battery. He will serve two life sentences concurrently without the possibility of parole.

District Attorney Bramlett stated, “I am thankful for the prompt response and hard work of the Pearl Police Department, the Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center, the Mississippi Crime Lab and the Safe Center at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Because of their efforts on this case, we were able to avoid having a trial where these victims would have to relive this terrible trauma on the witness stand. Keith Reeder will spend the rest of his life in prison for his actions, which is where he belongs.”

Defendant:

Name: Keith Lamar Reeder

Date of Birth: 02/17/1974