A former Hinds County deputy sheriff will spend time in prison for sexual battery of a 15-year-old girl, Attorney General Jim Hood announced.

Jason Pittman, 26, of Jackson, pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of sexual battery. Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Tomie T. Green sentenced Pittman to 15 years in prison with five years to serve and 10 years suspended.

Additionally, Pittman must register as a sex offender. Pittman was arrested in November 2018. At the time of the crimes, Pittman worked as a music minister at a church in Terry, where he met the 15-year-old victim.

“I appreciate Judge Green for her sentence and the investigators who worked to hold this man responsible for his crime,” General Hood said. “All of those who commit these types of inexcusable crimes should expect to be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

This case was investigated by AG Investigators Crystal Palmer and Lisa Edwards. Prosecution was handled by Special Assistant Attorney General Brad Oberhousen of the AG’s Public Integrity Division.