Man convicted in Madison County of sexual battery of a child

A former University of Mississippi Medical Center Police Officer was found guilty of one count of sexual battery of a child under age 14 after a two-day trial in Madison County this week, District Attorney Bubba Bramlett said in a Thursday news release.

Justin Miller Bradshaw, 32, is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Steve Ratcliff on Feb. 14, 2022, Bramlett said.

Assistant District Attorney Ashley Allen said the trial started on Monday, Dec. 13, and concluded the following evening around 6:15 p.m.

Bramlett said the victim, a female child relative, said the abuse began on a family beach trip when she was 7 or 8 years old and continued for several years until she disclosed the abuse at age 11.

“Four years of sexual abuse is horrific,” Bramlett said. “But perhaps now she can truly begin the healing process. I am so thankful for the team that came together to get this guilty verdict, especially the Sheriff’s Office and the Children’s Advocacy Center.”

The victim testified that she kept the abuse a secret because Bradshaw said he would not love her anymore if she told her mother.

“This is a prime example of why you should always talk to your children about inappropriate behaviors and make sure that they know that they can always tell you anything — no matter what,” Bramlett said. “Impress upon them that there is absolutely nothing they can do that would make you stop loving them. I am so thankful that this child finally told her mom what Bradshaw was doing to her.”

The victim described many instances of sexual abuse that would occur multiple times a week after school in the afternoons while her mother was at work. The victim’s mother alerted law enforcement immediately after the child’s disclosure, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Department started an investigation.

The child was taken to the Mississippi Children’s Advocacy Center, where she was administered a forensic interview. The interview was played for the jury during trial. Bradshaw took the stand in his defense and testified that he could not think of a reason for the victim to make up these allegations, only that she must have wanted him out of her life.

After one hour of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of guilty at the conclusion of the trial on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 14.

“I would also like to thank, as always, all the jurors that showed up to jury duty, especially those that served in this case,” Bramlett said. “We could not continue to make Madison and Rankin counties the safe places they are without people willing to come and serve.”

Bramlett said that the minimum sentence for sexual battery of a child under age 14 is 20 years, with the maximum of life imprisonment and that any sentence Bradshaw receives will be served day-for-day, without the possibility of early release or parole.

Bradshaw will also be required by law to register as a sex offender.