by Hunter Dawkins, Owner/Publisher – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm
GULFPORT (GG) — On Thursday, September 10, Shaunn Lee Bangs, Jr. of Saucier, Mississippi pled guilty last week to two Counts of Sexual Battery and one Count of Touching for Lustful Purposes. Circuit Judge Randi Mueller sentenced Bangs to 40 years, 20 years suspended, with 20 years to serve, followed by 20 years of post-release supervision.
Bangs was 22 at the time of the offenses, and he had no prior felony convictions. Due to the nature of the offenses, Bangs 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 into the sexual assault began when the mother of the then 15-year-old victim reported that her daughter disclosed sexual abuse by Bangs during a weekend visit with family at his residence. Bangs was a close family relative.
“During an interview with county investigators, Bangs confessed to sexual intercourse with the child.” said Assistant District Attorney Chris Daniel, who prosecuted the case on behalf of the state.
Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Mueller stated, “These cases are some of the worst we deal with at the courthouse. The effects of the abuse stay with victims for life. This victim is moving on, but this is not something she will ever forget. She is very brave.”
