The Gazebo Gazette
GULFPORT (GG) — On Tuesday afternoon, July 29, 2025, Drew Emile Gallardo of Bay St. Louis, pled guilty this week to two Counts of Exploitation of a Child involving two 12-year-old girls at a home in Harrison County. Circuit Court Judge Lisa Dodson sentenced Gallardo to 25 years, 17 years suspended, with 8 years to serve, followed by five years of post-release supervision.
Gallardo was 18 at the time of the offenses, and he had no prior felony convictions. The defendant will also be required to pay fines, assessments and court costs in excess of $4,000. Due to the nature of the offenses, Gallardo will serve his time day-for-day without hope of early release or parole, and he must register as a sex offender upon release from prison.
“The Harrison County Sheriff’s investigation began when the mother of one of the children noticed ‘relationship type behavior’ between her daughter and Gallardo after he had been informed of the girls’ ages and instructed by the mother to ‘leave the girls alone’ due to their young age. Gallardo was a friend of a brother to one of the two girls, who were friends” said Assistant District Attorney Chris Daniel, who prosecuted the case. “The mother confronted her daughter regarding the suspicious behavior, and her daughter disclosed her abuse and that of her friend. The children were forensically interviewed by professionals at Canopy Child Advocacy Center where investigators learned that Gallardo used his access and influence to coerce the girls into sexual acts. Investigators also reviewed Gallardo’s phone and discovered evidence that corroborated his sexual interest in young teen girls.”
During his plea, Gallardo’s Public Defender provided significant mitigating information from Gallardo’s juvenile history for the Court’s consideration prior to imposing his sentence. The Court was also provided with a victim impact statement from one of the victims stating that she and her family had forgiven Gallardo. Gallardo also addressed the Court and stated, “I’m sorry for my actions – it was very disrespectful, and I can’t take it back.”
Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Dodson stated, “You have had a difficult and tumultuous childhood, but that does not have to define who you are. You knew they were underage, and you knew that was inappropriate. Take this as your opportunity to get your GED and the treatment you need while it is available to you, and it is free.”
“The outstanding collaboration of our Child Advocacy’s Multi-disciplinary Team resulted in the collection of all essential evidence required to prove these crimes. After consultation with the families, we feel this is a fair and just resolution of this case which does not further traumatize our victims and their families,” said District Attorney W. Crosby Parker.
