Longwood junior basketball player Jason Pimentel was found guilty of sexual battery in a trial early Monday morning, after being charged Nov. 5 via a Nov. 2 incident.
“During the course of the trial and the proceedings he was found guilty of sexual battery,” said Longwood Police Criminal Investigator Sam Gilliam, who testified in court. “I had a very limited role in the case because the bulk of the testimony was given directly by the victim in the case, and one other witness.”
The Rotunda first reported on Pimentel’s arrest in November, and quoted Longwood University Chief of Police Robert Beach commenting on the situation. “The victim said that in the early morning hours of Nov. 2, she was ‘forcibly fondled’ by an individual who was later determined to be Jason Pimentel,” said Beach.
After the court’s decision, Pimentel appealed the indictment to circuit court. According to Gilliam, if a case decision is appealed in general district court, it moves to circuit court where there will be a second hearing by a circuit court judge.
“The testimony is presented in front of the circuit court judge, and they have an opportunity to make a ruling, either guilty or innocent,” he said. “It’s basically another trial.”
Pimentel was released on bond after the incident in November. Gilliam said, “Due to the fact that pre-trial he was out on a bond, at the trial when he was convicted, the judge did not impose any active jail time.”
Because Pimentel did appeal, the Prince Edward County Clerk’s Office told The Rotunda that a sentence has yet to be issued. According to Virginia law, a class one misdemeanor is the highest category of misdemeanors. “It holds a penalty of no more than 12 months in jail, and/or $2,500 in fines,” said Gilliam.
Pimentel was suspended indefinitely from the basketball program Nov. 6, but has recently been practicing, and traveling with the team. Pimentel stall has yet to play in a game this season. Longwood Athletics said there is no current change in Pimentel’s status.
There is currently no set date for Pimentel’s appeal.
Follow the Rotunda for updates on Pimentel’s appeal, with more specific information once a circuit court date is set.
