Biloxi landlord convicted of sexual battery of tenant

HARRISON COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- A Biloxi landlord was convicted of one count of sexual battery of a tenant after a two-day trial.

According to District Attorney W. Crosby Parker, 65-year-old Tam John Trieu, of D’Iberville, was convicted last week on the charge.

During the trial, the jury heard testimony that the victim had been leasing a commercial building space from Trieu in Biloxi.

On December 27, 2024, Trieu called the victim and asked that she come to her store to discuss the rent.  Almost immediately upon entering the store, Trieu began groping the victim and lifting up her dress, and later sexually assaulted her.

The victim testified that she told Trieu to stop and attempted to pull away from him, but she was in the middle of a high-risk pregnancy and was already weak from previous hospital stays.

Multiple witnesses testified that Trieu knew the victim was pregnant and was aware of her physical condition at the time of the assault.

According to Assistant District Attorney Meaghan J. Smith, the victim had cameras inside her store that captured the entire incident on video.

In addition to the victim’s testimony and video evidence, the jury heard from the lead investigator on the case who interviewed Trieu upon his arrest. When informed of his charges, Trieu claimed that he “was just playing around.”

Trieu’s sentencing is scheduled for November 16. He faces up to 30 years to serve in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.