Indianola, MS- Derace Walls of Drew, Mississippi pled guilty to Rape at the Sunflower County Courthouse on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, District Attorney W. Dewayne Richardson announced today.
Walls was charged with the crime in 2023 following a report made to the Sunflower County Sheriff’s Department by the victim. After deputies and investigators observed several bruises to her face and body, she was taken to the South Sunflower County Hospital in Indianola for medical treatment and a Sexual Assault Examination. The sexual assault kit was submitted to the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory which found Wall’s DNA in the samples collected from the kit.
The Sunflower County Grand Jury later returned an indictment against Walls for Forcible Rape. With his trial scheduled to begin, he entered a plea of guilty. Walls was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Margaret Carey-McCray to The District Attorney’s recommendation of twenty (20) years in the custody of Mississippi Department of Corrections with fifteen (15) years to serve and the remaining five (5) years on Post-Release Supervision.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Takiyah Perkins and Austin Frye. “I admire the courage of the victim who was resilient and patient throughout this process in seeking justice. Unfortunately, nothing can erase the nightmare from that night, but knowing he is being held accountable for his actions provides some sense of closure. Our office hopes that victims of sexual assaults never fear in seeking help and justice when they have been assaulted,” Perkins stated.
The District Attorney’s Office thanks those men and women who appeared, and were willing to serve, as jurors in this case. “Far too often, lack of participation by those citizens summoned for jury duty prevents trials from moving forward, which prevents justice from being served for all victims. Thankfully, today wasn’t one of those days, with the jury sitting waiting to hear the facts, the defendant chose to plead guilty rather than move forward with a trial,” Perkins added.
The Office of the District Attorney is also thankful and appreciative for the investigative efforts of the Sunflower County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation Division, South Sunflower County Hospital doctors, nurses, and staff, and the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory Bioscience Division.
Contact: W. Dewayne Richardson District Attorney, Fourth Circuit Court District | 662-378-2105