Habitual offender sentenced to 45 years for child sex crimes
A Neshoba County man was sentenced to 45 years as a habitual offender on child sex crime charges this week.
In December 2024, a Neshoba County Grand Jury indicted Joshua Lewis Quintana on one count of sexual battery and one count of gratification of lust as a habitual offender, according to the District Attorney's Office.
On Monday, March 10, a jury was empaneled, and the trial began. After hearing testimony from the victim, who is a minor, along with Deputy Mark Flake, other family members, and Quintana himself, the jury returned a guilty verdict on both counts.
The court sentenced Quintana to 30 years as a habitual offender for Count One and 15 years for Count Two on Tuesday, March 10.
Under Mississippi law, defendants sentenced as habitual offenders must serve their full sentence without the possibility of early release or parole.
Upon his release, Quintana will be required to register as a sex offender. Quintana has four prior felony convictions in Neshoba County spanning the past 20 years.
The Neshoba County Sheriff’s Office was an integral part of the prosecution of this case, District Attorney Steven Kilgore said.
The victim in this case is a minor, and their identity will not be disclosed.