July 28, 2016
For Immediate Release
According to the State Attorney’s Office:
A Washington County jury convicted Carl Lewis Burns on Wednesday of 10 counts of sexual battery on a child.
Assistant State Attorney Shalla Jefcoat proved to jurors during the one day trial that Burns, 62, of 2218 Douglas Ferry Road, Chipley, had repeatedly sexually assaulted a teenage girl from October 2012 to February 2015. The victim reported the abuse Feb. 15, 2015, to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. DNA evidence collected at the hospital confirmed the last sexual assault.
Burns was found guilty as charged of 10 counts of sexual battery on a child in custodial care. He faces up to 30 years in prison on each count when Circuit Judge Peter Mallory sentences him Sept. 12