CAMILLA, Ga. (WALB) — A Mitchell County jury returned a not guilty verdict on all charges July 2 for a man accused of inappropriate sexual contact with students.

Derrick Harris, a former high school varsity basketball coach, was found not guilty of:

• Criminal Attempt to Commit a Felony (three counts)
• Sexual Contact by Employee or Agent in the Second Degree
• Sexual Battery

According to the clerk of court’s office, the jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning the verdict.

Harris said the past three years have been hard, but since beating the accusations, he’s been feeling a lot better.

“It affected me a lot at first. It was surprising because I know what I do for the kids in the community as a mentor. It was tough on my family, my kids, my dad, who was a former basketball coach for 20 plus years. It was just hard on us. I gave it to God, I prayed about it and he said he’ll never leave us or forsaken us.”

As for whether he would accept his former job back, Harris said, “If the offer presented itself, then maybe.”

When asked if he had a message to anyone who doubted him throughout the process, he said, “I forgive you, but I keep receipts.”

The former coach is currently working a new job and said he’s putting things in God’s hands.

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In February 2023, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was requested by the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office to investigate allegations of inappropriate sexual contact and advances by Harris, who was the Mitchell County High School Girls Varsity Basketball Coach.

He was arrested at his home in Camilla and taken to the Mitchell County Jail.

Then, the GBI charged Harris with enticing a child for indecent purposes, sexual assault by persons with supervisory authority, sexual battery, and two counts of solicitation of sodomy.

In Oct. 2025, Harris was indicted for the charges he was found not guilty of.

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