PRESS RELEASE
The Office of State Attorney Larry Basford announces that on March 9, 2021, a Bay County jury found Jhon Albert Carrizales Pretell guilty as charged of Sexual Battery upon a Person Less Than 12 Years of Age. The victim testified that between August and October 2018, she was sexually assaulted by the Defendant. She testified that she did not tell anyone until March of 2019 when she felt safe enough to disclose the incident to a friend. Police were notified almost immediately, and a Child Protection Team Interview was conducted the next day. After the interview, Bay County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jesse Cieslik interviewed the Defendant, where he confessed to the allegations.
The jury deliberated for less than 15 minutes before finding the Defendant guilty as charged. The case was prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Nicole Reed and Ian Gray. Sentencing is scheduled for March 30, 2021 before the Honorable Dustin Stephenson, where the Defendant faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
For additional information, contact State Attorney Larry Basford.