St. Clair County District Attorney Richard J. Minor announced Jamie Curtis Whitt, 55, of Ashville pled guilty to four Class A felonies on Jan. 29.

“Whitt pled guilty to rape, first degree, sodomy, first degree, kidnapping, first degree, and burglary, first degree. At his sentencing, the defendant was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on each count in the indictment by Circuit Judge Bill Weathington.” Minor said.

Chief Assistant Lyle Harmon prosecuted the case for the state. In presenting the facts of the case to the court, Harmon said, “On March 26, 2016, Whitt approached the victim while she was sitting on the back deck of her home. Whitt made small talk with the victim before overpowering her and forcing her into her residence. Once inside, she was bound with ties. The defendant then physically and sexually assaulted the victim. After the attack, Whitt forced the victim to drive him to a bank and withdraw money from an ATM using her debit card.”

Later on that same day, Whitt crossed into Etowah County where he robbed a gas station clerk at gunpoint. He was arrested shortly after fleeing the store and was convicted in that case in Etowah County Circuit Court.

“We hope this verdict sends a message that the St. Clair County District Attorney’s Office is committed to standing with victims of crime and seeking maximum sentences for those who commit the most violent of offenses.” Harmon said. “I would also like to thank Investigators Wayne Layton and Joey Brown with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office who worked diligently on this case to ensure today’s convictions.”