The former head coach of a middle school girls’ basketball team will spend one to three years in prison after pleading guilty to sending an 11-year-old team member explicit cell phone text messages, court officials said.
Shariff Mills, 32, of Beckley, received the sentence from Raleigh County Circuit Judge John Hutchison Friday morning. Mills pleaded guilty in May to one count of attempting to use a minor in sexually explicit conduct.
Mills is the former head coach of the Beckley-Stratton Middle School girls’ basketball team.
Mills must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life once he is released from prison.
During Mills’ May plea hearing, assistant prosecutor Tom MacAulay said a Raleigh County Board of Education employee received a cell phone belonging to the 11-year-old girl. Upon reviewing contents of the phone, several messages originating from Mills’ phone were discovered to be of a sexual nature. After Mills was arrested and interviewed, he admitted sending the texts.
Mills then told Hutchison he was guilty of sending the messages.
Mills’ sentencing was originally scheduled for Aug. 27, but it was delayed when Gary Frasher, Mills’ public defender, said he needed more time to review a psychiatrist’s report on his client.
Local News
Ex-coach sentenced for explicit text messages
- Local News
-
- New River to offer new degree in social services
-
Lake Stephens plans beach blast
Ring in the summer fun with food, friends, local musicians and a beachfront atmosphere June 2 at the fifth annual Lake Stephens Beach Blast.
-
Rahall speaks at Meadow Bridge graduation event
Representative Nick J. Rahall spoke at the Meadow Bridge High School graduation Saturday, commending the school and graduates on their decade-long 100 percent voter registration.
-
Boating accident claims man during camping trip
A Fayette County man is dead after a boating accident during a family camping trip Saturday, reported Jeff West, Chief Ranger for the New River Gorge National River.
- Calendar — Sunday, May 27, 2012
-
A fun day at school
Students who participated in a school fundraiser at Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary School sprayed their principal Becky Smith during a hot Friday. Smith was decked out in flippers, goggles and floaties during the fun. Smith paraded past students as they drenched her with water guns.
- Grads ‘trying to pay it forward’
-
Mount Hope woman aims to help youths live better lives
- Pool season to begin this weekend
- Safety key while boating in Mountain State
- More Local News Headlines
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
