Ex-Philander Smith recruiter gets 5 days in sex case

— The former director of admissions at Philander Smith College has been sentenced to five days in jail and ordered to register as a sex offender after pleading no contest to promoting prostitution in a case involving a minor student.

George Gray was also sentenced to three years' probation and a $7,500 fine during a hearing Tuesday before Pulaski County Circuit Judge Herb Wright.

The victim, now 18, testified during the hearing that she was a 16-year-old student at Philander when Gray tried to recruit her to perform sexual acts at a fraternity party.

Prosecutors say Gray gave the teen a list of sexual acts and prices, and directed her to wear underwear matching the fraternity's colors.

The girl reported Gray to school officials and police. He later resigned.

Speaking in court Tuesday, the victim said the incident had a negative affect on her. She said there was noticeable resentment from other students because she had turned Gray in.

"I never wanted to go to class," she said, noting her grade point average fell from 3.87 to 1.87. "I never wanted to be seen around campus because people made me feel really horrible."

The victim accused Philander of trying to "brush [the incident] under the rug," adding she was glad she went to authorities.

"If I never came forward, he still would have carried on acting the way he was acting," she said.

Ron Davis, a defense attorney for Gray, pointed out that the victim and her mother have sued Gray and Philander. And he said the girl's mother contacted Philander less than a day after the incident requesting free tuition for the victim and for her older sister, who was also a student there.

Wright ordered Gray to begin his jail term immediately.

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