The Bay County Florida Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest near Amite, Louisiana of 36-year-old Jeffrey Alan Howard for sexually abusing a four-year-old child. The arrest followed a multi-agency effort after Howard fled Bay County.
On July 31, 2026, Bay County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of the sexual abuse of a four-year-old female. Investigators with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division – Crimes Against Children, were called to assist with the investigation. The child was subsequently interviewed at the Gulf Coast Children's Advocacy Center, where investigators developed probable cause to charge Howard with Capital Sexual Battery.
During the early morning hours of August 1, 2026, investigators traveled to Howard's residence to take him into custody. Despite repeated attempts to make contact, Howard refused to come to the door. An arrest warrant was subsequently obtained charging Howard with Capital Sexual Battery.
Later that day, investigators learned Howard had left the residence shortly after law enforcement departed and had fled Bay County. Utilizing the Bay County Sheriff's Office's FLOCK Safety camera system, investigators were able to identify Howard's vehicle and provided critical investigative leads that assisted in locating him.
Investigators developed information indicating Howard was in New Orleans, Louisiana. On August 5, 2026, information regarding Howard's whereabouts was provided to the U.S. Marshals Service Task Force in New Orleans. However, U.S. Marshals Task Force Officers learned Howard had recently checked out of a hotel in the area.
Following an alert to area law enforcement, Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office deputies spotted the suspect's vehicle near I-55 and La. 16 and were able to take Howard into custody without incident for the U.S. Marshals. Howard is currently awaiting extradition to Bay County to face the charge of Capital Sexual Battery.
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
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