Former Mt. Pleasant Officer Gets 50 Years for Sexual Assault of Child

GILMER � A former Mt. Pleasant police sergeant has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child. Eric Jason Campbell, 51, after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child, was sentenced by Judge Lauren Parish of the 115th District Court. He is not eligible for parole until after serving 25 years, according to the Upshur County District Attorney�s Office. KETK reports Campbell accepted a plea bargain at the request of the victim and family.

After witnessing the courtroom proceedings, the child, who was younger than 14 at the time of the crime, gave a statement in which she told the defendant that this would haunt her for the rest of her life. The victim also stated she felt the sentence would keep the former officer in jail and allow her to avoid testifying on the horrific events. Campbell must also register for the rest of his life as a sex offender and forfeit his peace officers� license.