Mississippi man sentenced to 18 years for aggravated assault in connection with 2022 attack

JACKSON, Miss. — James Richardson, 40, was sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated assault in Tishomingo County Circuit Court, according to prosecutors. Richardson was convicted of involvement in the October 2, 2022, assault on Robert Andrew Huddleston Jr., which is linked to the case of Randy Barrett Kelly, who earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the same incident.

Judge Kelly Mims sentenced Richardson to the maximum 20 years in custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, with two years suspended. Richardson is expected to serve 18 years behind bars, officials said.

The case was investigated by the Tishomingo County Sheriff’s Office, with Investigator Adam Kostelansky leading the probe. The District Attorney’s Office credited the sheriff’s office and Investigator Kostelansky for their work in bringing the case to resolution. The Belmont Police Department also assisted in Richardson’s apprehension, authorities added.

Assistant District Attorney Clay Cummings prosecuted the case for the state. Jason D. Herring, district attorney for the First Circuit Court District, made the announcement.

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