Jury finds man guilty of sex abuse in Gulfport

After a three day trial and two hours of deliberation, a jury found 42-year-old Arland Morris guilty of sex abuse charges on a minor.

The 12-year-old victim delivered gripping testimony, saying Morris was in a relationship with her mother and took advantage of her while her mother was at work in 2017.

The defense said the accusations were out of anger that the child was angry at the defendant because his relationship with the child’s mother dissolved.

Testimony revealed the child’s statement to her family and to law enforcement were consistent.

After receiving the verdicts, the defendant was taken into custody and a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for March 10^th.