By Billy Davis

A Courtland man avoided a jury trial by pleading guilty to a single count of statutory rape.

Michael Tyrone Sanford, 43, entered the guilty plea Tuesday morning before Circuit Judge Andrew C. Baker in Batesville.

Batesville attorney Tom Womble represented Sanford, of 299 Gregory Taylor Road.

Baker, at Womble’s request, deferred Sanford’s sentencing until February 5.

Prosecutors planned to show that Sanford had carried on a 10-month relationship with a 15-year-old girl, Assistant District Attorney Jay Hale told the court.

The girl finally disclosed the relationship to her mother, leading to an investigation by the Panola County Sheriff’s Department, Hale said.

Baker, speaking from the bench, said a charge of statutory rape carries a maximum 30-year sentence.

A pool of approximately 80 potential jurors watched the proceedings.