HERNANDO, MS. (TVMO) – DeSoto County District Attorney Matthew Barton releases statement regarding the sentencing of a Panola County man after he committed sexual offenses against a child.
Joseph Guidi, of Panola County, has been sentenced to 32 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to one count of fondling and one count of sexual battery of a child under the age of 14.
“True justice requires that the most severe punishments be reserved for the most severe crimes, and this 32-year sentence reflects that exact standard,” said Assistant District Attorney Steven Jubera.
The charges stemmed from years of sexual abuse that came to light after the child courageously disclosed what had happened. The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department and the Panola County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation, working together to gather the evidence that led to Guidi’s conviction.
During the sentencing hearing, the child’s mother delivered a powerful victim impact statement, describing the lasting trauma inflicted upon a child who should have been protected.
Guidi will serve his 32-year sentence day for day in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Jubera went on to say, “Cases like this remind us that when law enforcement, child advocates, and prosecutors work together, justice is served and tough sentences can be secured. But above all, this conviction was only possible because of the remarkable courage of this survivor and her decision to speak out.”
This case was investigated by the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Department and the Panola County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from Healing Hearts Child Advocacy Center, and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Steven Jubera.
