A child predator in Biloxi will spend more than three decades in prison.
Michael Ryan Gilbert, 37, pled guilty Thursday to one count of sexual battery and one count of child exploitation. Circuit Court Judge Christopher Schmidt sentenced Gilbert 50 years with 16 years suspended in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, leaving 34 years to be served day-for-day without the chance of early release or parole.
According to Assistant District Attorney Mara Joffe, who prosecuted the case, the Biloxi Police Department responded to Biloxi High School in August 2023 after a report that Gilbert had been sexually intimate with a male juvenile the day before.
“The victim reported the abuse to Biloxi High School the following morning and provided physical evidence to support the allegation,” Joffe said. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Gilber’s sexual abuse of the child was ongoing in nature, having gone on for nearly two years.
DNA analysis later confirmed the victim’s allegations, and upon Gilbert’s arrest, a subsequent search of his cell phone revealed a sexually explicit photo of the victim, multiple web searches of teen pornography, and numerous text message conversations unveiling Gilbert’s sexual and emotional manipulation of the victim.
Gilbert was set for jury trial next week but decided to plead guilty instead. During his plea, Gilbert apologized to the court, the victim, and his family. Assistant DA Joffe credited the plea to the bravery and persistence of the victim and a thorough investigation by the Biloxi Police Department.
