Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on February 21, 2020, a Bay County jury convicted Robert Lafayette Houston, IV, of 8 counts of Sexual Battery on Person Less Than 12 Years of Age. The Defendant was charged with committing sexual battery on the victim when she was 10 and 11 years old. The jury heard that these incidents were not isolated and had continued until she was an adult.
Due to the Rules of Evidence, the State was not able to present evidence of prior sex crimes committed by the Defendant. The State was aware of 4 other young girls he had sexually abused in the past.
This case was investigated by Lt. Jeremy Mathis with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Barbara Beasley and Assistant State Attorney Ian Gray.
Circuit Judge Ana Maria Garcia immediately sentenced the Defendant to 8 consecutive Life sentences, as well as designating him a sexual predator.