Gulfport man sentenced to 70 years for sexual battery of a childGulfport, Miss. (WXXV)- A Gulfport man is being sentenced to 70 years for sexual battery of a child. The investigation began in March 2024 when Gulfport Police responded to a sexual exploitation complaint made by a mother reviewing her teenager’s cell phone communications. The teen’s mother observed illegal communications between her child and Hayes – he was a close family member. Hayes was sentenced to 70 years, with 40 years suspended, and 30 years to serve in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.