A Biloxi landlord was found guilty of sexual battery of a pregnant tenant.
According to District Attorney W. Crosby Parker, the victim had leased commercial space to run a beauty supply business on Division Street from 65-year-old Tam Trieu. During the trial, the victim said that on Dec. 27, 2024, Trieu called her to the store while she was away under the guise of discussing the rent.
Trieu then reportedly began groping and lifting the victim’s dress almost immediately upon her arrival before sexually assaulting her. The victim claimed that she told him to stop and attempted to pull away, but she was unable to due to being weak from previous hospital stays regarding her high-risk pregnancy. Multiple witnesses testified after the fact that Trieu knew about her pregnancy and weak condition prior to the assault.
“What Trieu didn’t realize was that the victim had cameras inside her store that captured the entire crime on video,” said Assistant District Attorney Meaghan J. Smith, who prosecuted the case alongside Assistant District Attorney Mara Joffe.
After the victim’s testimony and the video evidence was played, lead Investigator Caleigh Gillespie with the Biloxi Police Department was called to the stand. Gillespie was the investigator that interviewed Trieu after his arrest and shared that Trieu said he was “just playing with” the victim.
“This defendant exploited the victim’s trust and her physical vulnerability during a high-risk pregnancy,” Parker said. “We commend her courage in coming forward and testifying about this deeply personal assault, and we thank the witnesses who helped bring the facts before the jury. We also commend lead investigator Gillespie for her hard work and determination in bringing this case to a successful prosecution.”
The jury deliberated for about two-and-a-half-hours before returning a guilty verdict. Trieu faces up to 30 years in prison, with his sentencing set for Nov. 16.
