Victim’s dad detains Coast councilman at Kiln gas station after alleged sex assault, records say
A Diamondhead city councilman and son of a state senator is out of jail on bond in Hancock County after his arrest on misdemeanor charges of simple assault resulting in bodily injury and contributing to the delinquency of a child, records say.
Hancock County sheriff’s deputies arrested Alan J. Moran, 34, on Valentine’s Day.
He bonded out of jail on a total bond of $5,000 midday Tuesday.
Moran is accused of inappropriately touching a 17-year-old teen’s genitals and allowing the minor to drink alcohol.
Moran’s arrest followed a report from the boy’s parents after the teen messaged them for help, according to an incident report on the arrest from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department.
The boy’s parents caught up with their son and Moran at a convenience store, where the teen’s father held Moran until sheriff’s investigators got to the scene to make the arrest, the report says.
A sex toy and alleged assault
According to the minor, the alleged assault occurred shortly after the teen agreed to help Moran operate a mosquito truck. Alan Moran’s father, Mississippi State Sen. Philip Moran, owns Philip’s Pest Control.
Moran told the teen he was short on employees because it was Valentine’s Day. The teen, who was driving the truck, was under the guise that Moran was training him for the job, according to the sheriff’s report.
Before the alleged assault, Moran first stopped at his Diamondhead home to drop off some paperwork to his wife.
After the two left Moran’s home, they then drove to Philip Moran’s home, where the teen told authorities Moran allegedly pulled out a sex toy and lubrication and asked the teen to have sexual contact.
The teen declined Moran’s advance, the report said, and the two got back on the road. Moran, the report said, later stopped at a store and bought some beer. The teen told authorities he drank one of the beers.
The alleged sexual assault occurred while the teen was driving. Moran, the report said, repeatedly reached down and touched the teen’s “inner thigh” and “genitals.”
Ditching a cellphone
Deputies arrested Moran at a Kiln convenience store, where the boy’s parents met up with him to pick him up. The boy’s father held Moran for authorities, the sheriff’s report says.
Before Moran was taken into custody, the report said, he ran into a tall grassy area on the side of the convenience store and threw out his cellphone.
He threw the phone out, the report said, while the deputies were interviewing the teen and his parents.
Sheriff’s deputies recovered the phone.
After Moran learned he was only facing misdemeanor charges, the report said, Moran said, “’ that’s it?’” and appeared to be relieved. The investigation is ongoing.
A Diamondhead councilman
Alan Moran was elected Diamondhead Ward 2 Councilman in 2017. Philip Moran stood by his son’s side when he was sworn into office.
Alan Moran was re-elected to his seat last year.
This story was originally published February 15, 2022 at 9:41 AM.
