Relatives charged in sex crimes case involving minor

Published 6:00 am Monday, February 27, 2006

Lincoln County Sheriff Wiley Calcote recently arrested threerelatives implicated in the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation ofa minor.

Based upon a complaint received by the Lincoln County Sheriff’sOffice, William Rollins, 39, of Bogue Chitto, was arrested on awarrant and charged with seduction of a child under 18. One weeklater, 62-year-old Willie Rollins and 35-year-old Betty LouRollins, both relatives of the Bogue Chitto man, were arrested andcharged with dissemination of sexually explicit material.

Calcote did not disclose how the two cases were related or howdeputies obtained information about Willie and Betty Lou Rollins.Deputies executed a search warrant on Feb. 23 at Willie and BettyLou Rollins’ Bogue Chitto home and recovered pornographic materialwhich was allegedly shown to minors.

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Willie and Betty Lou Rollins were allegedly allowing a child towatch pornographic movies, Calcote said. Sheriff’s deputies “didretrieve several pieces of (pornographic) material. That prettymuch sealed it up.”

Willie and Betty Lou Rollins were both released on bond from theLincoln County Jail, according to Lincoln County officials. WilliamRollins remains in jail.

Calcote said his office will likely contact the SouthwestMississippi Children’s Advocacy Center (SW MS CAC) in McComb. Thenon-profit advocacy group specializes in interviewing children whoare suspected to be victims of sexual abuse.

Calcote said child sexual abuse cases are occurring at analarming rate.

“There is more and more of [child sexual abuse] every day,”hesaid.

From his experience investigating child sexual abuse cases,”usually a parent will find out” about the sexual activity andnotify law enforcement, Calcote said.

The sheriff said parents are the first line of defense andshould foster open lines of communication with their children.Parents should “talk to there children” candidly regardingimportant issues such as inappropriate touching. Calcote saidchildren should be strongly encouraged to tell trusted adults.

“If not a parent, tell someone else,” the sheriff said.

Calcote emphasized prevention was fundamental to the protectionof children. In addition to speaking with their children, parentsshould be aware of their child’s behavior.

“The behavior of the child will tell you a lot,” he said.

Calcote spoke of his personal reaction to investigating childsexual abuse cases.

“It’s a sad day in the lives of the sheriff’s office when one ofthese cases come in,” Calcote said. “No words can express thefeelings we have.”