Callaway man facing two life sentences for sexually assaulting a child

BAY COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – A Callaway man will spend the rest of his life in prison after officials said he sexually battered a child.

According to the State Attorney’s Office, 29-year-old Mark Jackson Jr. was found guilty on Wednesday of Sexual Battery of a Person Less than 12 years old and Lewd or Lascivious Molestation.

Judge Register sentenced the defendant to life in prison on both counts. The judge ordered the sentences to be served consecutively or one after the other, according to a news release.

During the trial, Prosecutor Overstreet called six witnesses and the victim who was 4 years old at the time of the crime. Evidence was presented to prove the defendant sexually battered and molested the child, officials wrote.

Bay County Sheriff’s Office investigators said they questioned Jackson Jr. after the victim disclosed what happened to a Department of Children and Families Investigator.

During questioning, officials said Jackson Jr. admitted the sexual contact had taken place and he was placed under arrest.

The two-day trial ended with a 90-minute jury deliberation before returning its verdict.

Judge Register also designated Jackson Jr. as a sexual predator.

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