Callaway man faces two life sentences for sexually abusing a child

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – A Callaway man will spend the rest of his life in prison for sexually abusing a child.

According to prosecutors, 29-year-old Mark Jackson Jr. was found guilty on Wednesday of sexual abuse of a person under the age of 12 and lewd or lascivious molestation.

Judge Register sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment on both counts. The judge ordered that the sentences be served consecutively or consecutively, a press release said.

During the trial, prosecutor Peter Overstreet called six witnesses and the victim, who was 4 years old at the time of the crime, to testify that the defendant sexually abused and molested the child, officials wrote.

Investigators with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office said they questioned Jackson Jr. after the victim told an investigator with the Department of Children and Families what happened.

During questioning, Jackson Jr. admitted that sexual contact had occurred, officials said, and was arrested.

The two-day trial ended with a 90-minute jury deliberation before the verdict was announced.

Judge Register also labeled Jackson Jr. a sex offender.