January 14, 2026
PRESS RELEASE
(Okaloosa County, Florida), On January 13 2026, Justin Andrew Busby was designated a Sexual Predator and sentenced by Circuit Judge David Oberliesen to life in state prison. Defendant was sentenced after being found guilty by a jury of Sexual Battery of a Victim under 12 years; Defendant over 18 years.
On January 13, 2026, the jury heard evidence that between December 27, 2022 and January 3, 2023, the then 10-year-old victim, was sexually abused by the defendant, a trusted family member, while she was on vacation in Destin, Florida. The victim did not initially disclose the sexual abuse to anyone but later spontaneously disclosed it to her parents while back in her home in Mississippi. Investigation into the sexual abuse was conducted by local law enforcement, the Lucedale Police Department, and led by Capt Jason Smith. Ultimately the defendant minimized his actions but did not deny the child’s allegations.
The investigation was conducted by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Lucedale Police Department Police Department, and the Canopy House Child’s Advocacy Center in Mississippi. Assistant State Attorney, Christine Bosau, prosecuted this case on behalf of Ginger Bowden Madden, State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida. For further information, please contact Ms. Bosau at 850-400-3488 x232.
