Madison and Rankin Counties’ District Attorney Bubba Bramlett announced that Dottie Maurice Griffin pleaded guilty to Sexual Battery and Felon in Possession of a Firearm in Madison County Circuit Court Monday, November 14.

Griffin was sentenced to serve 30 years without the possibility of parole in the Mississippi Department of Corrections for the charges.

On December 16, 2021, Griffin was a guest at the America’s Best Value Inn in Canton, MS.

He attacked a member of the housekeeping staff at the Econo Lodge, which is located next door, while she was cleaning a hotel room.

Griffin demanded money from her at gunpoint and raped her before fleeing the hotel.

The staff member contacted law enforcement who developed Griffin as a suspect after reviewing surveillance footage from Econo Lodge and America’s Best Value Inn.

The next day law enforcement officers discovered Griffin hiding out in a room at the Budget Inn in Canton.

He was booked under a false name. They were able to find the clothing Griffin had been wearing, the gun used in the attack, and Griffin’s other personal effects by searching his rooms at each hotel. Griffin had hidden the gun in the ceiling of the Budget Inn room.

DNA evidence found on the victim confirmed Griffin was her attacker.

District Attorney Bubba Bramlett stated: “Random acts of violence are some of the scariest crimes we see. Canton Police Department did an excellent job with their investigation to quickly apprehend this defendant. We hope this plea and sentence give some closure to the victim, having endured such terror.”

Griffin’s 30 year sentence will be served day-for-day because it is a sex offense. Upon release, Griffin will be required to Register as a Sex Offender.