by Hunter Dawkins, Owner/Publisher – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm
GULFPORT (GG) — On Wednesday, July 29, Matthew Carl Hayes of Gulfport, Mississippi pled guilty last week to two counts of Sexual Battery of a Child and one count of Tampering with Evidence before Circuit Court Judge Lisa Dodson at the Harrison County Courthouse. Hayes was sentenced to 70 years, with 40 years suspended, and 30 years to serve in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Due to the nature of the crime, the defendant’s sentence is not eligible for parole or early release. Upon release from custody, Hayes was also ordered to serve 40 years on post-release supervision with MDOC.
This sentence will run consecutive to a five year sentence the Defendant is currently serving from Wayne County, Mississippi for sex offender violations associated with a prior conviction for Statutory Rape in 2011.
“The investigation began in March 2024 when Gulfport Police Department responded to a sexual exploitation complaint made by the mother of the victim after reviewing her 14-year-old child’s cell phone communications. During this review, the child’s mother observed illegal communications between her child and the Defendant, who was a close family member. Officers later conducted a forensic examination of the devices and secured evidence of the crime. A forensic interview of the child was conducted at Canopy Children’s Solutions where details were provided by the child revealing disclosures of sexual intercourse in addition to sexual exploitation. Investigators determined the crimes occurred over a 5-year time span. Police also collected physical and forensic evidence that directly supported the child’s statements. The Defendant was then confronted with these messages by investigators and ultimately admitted to sexually explicit communications with the child, but denied any sexual intercourse with her. During his interview, the Defendant also admitted to deleting messages as the police were conducting their investigation.” said Assistant District Attorney Chris Daniel, who prosecuted the case.
The mother made a statement to the Court prior to sentencing and stated “The effects of these crimes did not end when the abuse stopped. They continue every day. My daughter has had to carry pain, fear, confusion and trauma. She has shown incredible strength simply by surviving and finding the courage to tell the truth. As a parent, one of the hardest realities I face is knowing I could not protect her. Healing will be a lifelong journey.” expressed ADA Daniel.
