A Bayou Lacroix man is in jail for allegedly molesting a teen in both Hancock and Harrison counties over the past eight months, authorities said Thursday.
Harrison County Sheriff Melvin Brisolara said Thursday that Jonathan Genna, 64, of Bayou Lacroix Road, was arrested Wednesday on one count of sexual battery.
The sexual assaults allegedly occurred from August 2009 until April 6, 2010, Brisolara said.
The female victim was 15 years old when the assaults began, he said.
Brisolara said the assault occurred in both Hancock and Harrison Counties.
Harrison County investigators compiled enough evidence to charge Genna in their county and information was passed on to Hancock County.
Hancock County Chief Investigator Kenny Hurt said Thursday he is aware of the accusations against Genna, however, there has not been a report filed on the incident yet.
“Once we get a report, we will definitely investigate,” Hurt said.
Meanwhile, Genna is being housed in the Harrison County Jail under a $100,000 bond.
If convicted, he faces a possible sentence of up to 15 years in prison for each count, officials said.
BY Dwayne Bremer
The Sea Coast Echo
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