OLIVE BRANCH, MS -
(WMC-TV) – The Olive Branch traveling preacher, Sammy Nuckolls, was handcuffed and taken directly to jail after being sentenced to 10 years for video voyeurism.
In court Friday Olive Branch Police investigator Jeff Abbott played a chilling tape during which Nuckolls can be seen time and time again, meticulously positioning a spy camera in bathrooms to videotape female guests as they undressed and showered. One of them says she was 17 years old at the time.
Nuckoll's victims wept on the stand as they told the story of a spiritual friendship with a preacher they trusted, who wound up betraying them all.
"Basically him setting up the video cameras before each instance," said Jeff Abbott, Olive Branch Police Department.
Nuckolls was found guilty on 13 counts of the sexual violation for crimes dating back to 2006.
During the sentencing phase, his victims described their anger, fear, humiliation and sleepless nights since his arrest in October of last year.
Nuckolls hung his head while his former friends accused him of using his ministry to steal their innocence. But his friends do say he is sorry.
"There's not a day that goes by that he's not remorseful for that," said his friend and counselor, Tim Drury.
Nuckolls has recently enrolled in a Christian-based rehab program.
The judge said there is no doubt Nuckolls has saved souls. But he admonished him for hiding behind the cloak of religion to commit a sickening and despicable crime.
"You violated the trust of these young women. You robbed them of dignity. First time I ever heard the expression video rape but I supposed that's what it is," said DeSoto County Judge Gerald Chatham.
The defense is likely to appeal the 10 year sentence and the judge ordered that Nuckolls undergo a mental evaluation.
He is convinced Nuckolls suffers from some sort of psychosis.
That report is due back in court in nine months and could alter the length of Nuckolls sentence, depending on the findings.
Copyright 2012 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.
Sammy Nuckolls was found guilty and sentenced Friday
The judge sentenced Nuckolls to 10 years in prison
During court, videos of Nuckolls hiding cameras in bathrooms was shown
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
