69-year-old South Mississippi man arrested for sexual abuse of children, authorities say

A 69-year-old South Mississippi man was arrested this week on sex crimes charges related to the sexual abuse and molestation of two children, authorities said.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office said Michael Stephen Pell was arrested without incident Wednesday at his Picayune home.

Pell faces four charges: two counts of molesting and two counts of sexual battery.

Authorities began investigating after a parent reported the case last Friday, said Commander Kris Robbins. Authorities conducted forensic interviews this week and found Pell had “inappropriate sexual contact,” with the children, Robbins said.

Authorities did not release additional information about the children to avoid identifying victims of sex crimes.

Pell is accused of committing the crimes over several months beginning in June, Robbins said. He has no prior arrest record in Hancock County, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Pell is held in the Hancock County jail without bond pending an initial court appearance scheduled for November, jail dockets show.

An investigation is ongoing.

A conviction for touching of a child carries a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in prison and fines up to $5,000. A conviction for sexual battery carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, depending on the nature of the crime.

This story was originally published October 3, 2024 at 2:21 PM.