A Wewahitchka man was found guilty as charged Friday of molesting a child in Bay County more than 10 years ago, State Attorney Larry Basford announced.
Henry Hollis Mangum, 59, was found guilty of 2 counts of Lewd and Lascivious Molestation. The 6-person jury deliberated about 20 minutes after hearing the case presented by Prosecutor Brea Dearing.
Circuit Court Judge Shonna Young Gay set sentencing for May 6. The defendant faces a minimum 25-year sentence.
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Dearing called 4 witnesses, including the victim who was under 10 years of age at the time of the offense, and presented evidence proving Mangum molested the child. The crime was initially unreported, but a series of events in 2021 led to the disclosure.
A forensic interview by an Alabama child protection team and other evidence gathered proved the victim’s case.
“We are pleased we got a result that reflects she was telling the truth when she disclosed this sexual abuse to her mom, the police, and today to a jury,” Dearing said. “It was a tough day for her, but now she doesn’t have to worry about him harming her again.”
Dearing noted the importance of the verdict on a crime that was reported years after it occurred, because it shows other sexual abuse victims that they will be heard if they come forward.
Basford thanked both the Alabama agencies initially involved in the investigation and the Panama City Police Department for gathering the evidence to build a strong case.
For additional information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.