A Callaway man found guilty Wednesday of sexually battering a young girl was sentenced to Life in prison without the possibility of parole, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
John Michael Armstrong, 53, was found guilty of Sexual Battery on a Person Less Than 12 Years of Age. Circuit Court Judge Shonna Young Gay then designated the defendant as a Sexual Predator and sentenced him to the mandatory Life in prison.
Prosecutor Barbara Beasley called seven witnesses, including the victim, and presented evidence proving the defendant sexually battered a young girl in May 2023. The jury deliberated about 30 minutes before returning its verdict.
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The victim reported the attack, which was investigated by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and included a forensics interview at the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center.
Basford credited the victim’s courage in both reporting the attack and testifying, along with the investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and GCCAC with bringing the case to a successful conclusion.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.