A Bay St. Louis man will spend the next eight years in prison for sex crimes against two minors, then age 12.
Drew Emile Gallardo, now 20, was 18 at the time of the crimes. He was temporarily staying at the Harrison County home of one of the minors when her mother noticed “relationship-type behavior” and told Gallardo to stop, according to Assistant District Attorney Chris Daniel.
“The Harrison County sheriff’s investigation began when the mother of one of the children noticed ‘relationship-type behavior’ between her daughter and Gallardo after he had been informed of the girls’ ages and instructed by the mother to ‘leave the girls alone’ due to their age,” Daniel stated. “The mother confronted her daughter regarding the suspicious behavior, and her daughter disclosed her abuse and that of her friend.”
The children were forensically interviews by professionals at Canopy Child Advocacy Center. Those interviews led investigators to uncover that Gallardo coerced the girls into sexual acts. Investigators also found evidence that corroborated Gallardo’s “sexual interest in young teen girls,” per Daniel.
Before sentencing, Circuit Judge Lisa Dodson shared portions of a letter submitted to the court by one of the victims. The judge said the girl knew what Gallardo had done was wrong, but she did not want the crimes to define her life or that of her offender. She wrote in the letter that she and her family had forgiven Gallardo.
The victim attributed Gallardo’s upbringing as a factor to his actions. He had previously been taken into custody by state officials due to condition at his own family’s home, which included his mother being arrested and convicted for sex crimes.
“You have had a difficult and tumultuous childhood, but that does not have to define who you are,” Dodson said to him. “You knew they were underage, and you knew that was inappropriate. Take this as your opportunity to get your GED and the treatment you need while it is available to you — and it is free.”
Gallardo also spoke at the sentencing hearing, saying, “I’m sorry for my actions. It was very disrespectful, and I can’t take it back.”
Gallardo was sentenced to 25 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, 17 of which were suspended. In addition, he will have to pay over $4,000 in fines and court costs before registering as a sex offender upon release.
Gallardo will not be eligible for early release or parole.
