Gulfport Man Arrested for Committing Sex Acts on Children Under 12 Years-old
Gulfport police have arrested 57 year-old Joseph Blaze Forgetta of Gulfport for sexual battery, lewd and lascivious molestation of a child and child pornography.
Gulfport police began their investigation after a call for service just after 12 noon on Saturday, December 30, 2017. The investigation led to the arrest of Forgetta at at approximately 9:35 p.m. He has been charged with the following
- 2 counts of sexual battery of a child under the age of 12
- 1 count lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under the age of 12
- 2 counts production of child pornography
The situation was reported to police after a girl under the age of 12 told her mother that Forgetta had committed a sex act with her the previous evening. The victim and two other children were staying the night together at the home of a family member who is involved in a relationship with Forgetta.
A subsequent investigation revealed at least one other victim, also under the age of 12, who Forgetta had committed sex acts with on two previous occasions during the past year.
Police have reason to believe there may be additional victims, particularly among those who may live near Forgetta in the area of 52nd Street and 29th Avenue South. Forgetta’s address of record is 5314 29th Avenue S in Gulfport.
The public may contact Gulfport Police Detective Jennifer Crowson at 727-893-1043 with any information regarding this case.