JACKSON — The Mississippi Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld the conviction and two life sentences of a Biloxi man found guilty of repeatedly sexually abusing his two stepdaughters over several years.
In a unanimous decision, the court affirmed the 2024 Harrison County Circuit Court verdict against John Nathaniel Pierre, who was convicted on 14 counts of sexual battery and one count of attempted sexual battery involving the girls, who were minors at the time of the abuse.
According to the opinion, Pierre lived with his wife and her daughters from 2016 until 2021. The abuse came to light in August 2022, when the older daughter confronted Pierre, recorded the conversation, and disclosed the allegations to her mother. Pierre fled when confronted but was later arrested after leading officers on a high‑speed chase that reached more than 120 mph.
At trial, both victims testified that Pierre forced sexual acts on them beginning when they were as young as five.
Pierre appealed, arguing that a jury instruction improperly emphasized the victims’ testimony and that the evidence was insufficient to prove penetration in several counts. The Court of Appeals rejected both claims, noting that the defense failed to properly object to the instruction at trial and that Mississippi law requires only “slight penetration” to sustain a sexual battery conviction.
The court found the younger victim’s testimony sufficient for a reasonable jury to conclude penetration occurred.
Pierre is serving two consecutive life sentences in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
