MARIANNA – A 51-year-old Grand Ridge man found guilty of forcing himself sexually onto a 22-year-old woman who repeatedly told him “no” was found guilty of Sexually Battery Thursday and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
State Attorney Larry Basford announced that Anthony Pollock was found guilty Thursday of the Sexual Battery charge. Pollock was also on probation. Circuit Court Judge Ana Maria Garcia sentenced Pollock to 15 years for sexual battery and a consecutive 5 years for violation of probation.
Jackson County Chief Prosecutor Shalla Jefcoat said the victim’s courage in reporting the crime the night it happened, her willingness to testify, and the resources the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office put into the case combined for the successful outcome.
“The ‘No Means No’ motto regarding sexual contact was born 10 years before the victim in this case,” Jefcoat said. “It is something we are all familiar with, it matters, and we will continue to prosecute those who commit non-consensual sexual acts on others. Our victim stood up for herself, the Sheriff’s Office fought for her, and we are grateful a jury agreed with our case and found Pollock guilty.”
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The victim testified she was visiting a friend in January, 2024, and the defendant also came to the house. While there, he forced himself on her in a bedroom and despite her repeatedly telling him no, he would not stop.
She left the home, called a family member to tell her what had happened and then drove to the hospital and reported the attack.
Basford thanked victim for her strength and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for its handling of the investigation.
For more information, contact Mike Cazalas at mike.cazalas@sa14.fl.gov, or call 850-381-7454.