Gulfport man gets 30 years after guilty plea in child sex crime case
A Gulfport man will spend 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual battery against a child, District Attorney W. Crosby Parker said Thursday.
In sentencing remarks, Judge Randi P. Mueller said to Joshua David Hollon: “The facts of your case are some of the most disturbing since I have been on the bench. The details, length of time, and things you did are inexcusable.”
The judge said Hollon abused his “position of trust” with the victim.
“You were there to protect her. Instead, you inflicted the most unspeakable harm on this child, and you made her feel it was her fault. It was not her fault,” the judge said.
Gulfport police and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office began investigating Hollon in May 2020 on the basis of a complaint of sexual battery against a 14-year-old child by a family member. After interviewing the victim at the Hope Haven Child Advocacy Center in Waveland, police were able to corroborate her statements with digital and DNA evidence.
The abuse occurred over six years, according to a press release from Parker.
Hollon will serve 30 years in prison without possibility of early release or parole. Ten more years of his sentence were suspended. He will spend another 10 years on post-release supervision.
Parker cited the courage shown by the victim as key to securing Hollon’s conviction.
The victim was assisted by a courthouse therapy dog named Remi during Hollon’s plea.
“The resolution of this case ends not only abuse, but also helps in the healing process,” Parker said.
