BILOXI — Harrison County authorities have charged a Saucier man with statutory rape and grooming of a child, Sheriff Matt Haley announced Wednesday.

Kurtis Emmert, 36, was initially booked into the Harrison County Adult Detention Center on Sept. 28 after he reported that he had impregnated a 12-year-old girl, Haley said.

Following an investigation, prosecutors upgraded the charges to include one felony count of statutory rape and one felony count of grooming of a child.

Emmert remains in custody at the Harrison County Adult Detention Facility. Justice Court Judge Louise Ladner set bond at $750,000.

Statutory rape and grooming of a child are felony offenses under Mississippi law, and if convicted, Emmert faces significant prison time.

Authorities have not released additional details ab

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