Ex-Councilman Sentenced to 12 Years for Child Exploitation and Bribery Charges

Ex-Councilman Sentenced to 12 Years for Child Exploitation and Bribery Charges

Key Takeaways

  • Former Mississippi Coast councilman Alan Moran sentenced to 12 years in prison.
  • Moran violated probation for felony child exploitation charges.
  • He and others face bribery charges for offering $20,000 to drop stalking charges.
  • Moran’s father, Philip Moran, also under investigation.
  • The victim’s family calls the sentence a victory for the community.

A Former Councilman’s Downfall

Alan Moran, once a respected councilman on the Mississippi Coast, has fallen from grace. A judge recently sentenced him to 12 years in prison for violating his probation. This came after new charges of bribery and conspiracy were filed against him. Moran’s troubles began when he was accused of exploiting a child, a charge that led to his resignation from the Diamondhead City Council in March 2022.

New Charges Emerge Moran’s legal woes deepened when he was accused of stalking a 19-year-old Lowe’s employee. He was found guilty of misdemeanor stalking in April 2022. However, the situation took a darker turn when Moran and others were accused of offering one of his stalking victims $20,000 to drop the charges. The victim reported the bribe to the Waveland police, sparking a new investigation.

The investigation expanded to include Moran’s father, Philip Moran, a former state senator, and another man named Ian Schexnayder. Prosecutors alleged that the trio tried to silence the victim to avoid further legal trouble.

Judge Revokes Probation Circuit Judge Christopher Schmidt wasted no time in acted. When the new charges were filed, Schmidt revoked Moran’s probation for the child exploitation conviction. Moran’s lawyer asked the judge to delay the decision until after he and the others were formally arraigned. However, Schmidt refused, pointing out that a grand jury had already reviewed the evidence against them.

The judge handed down a harsh sentence: Moran would serve 12 years of a 15-year suspended sentence for child exploitation. The ruling means Moran will spend over a decade behind bars.

Victim’s Family Speaks Out The victim’s mother, Raychel Dykes, expressed relief and gratitude after the sentencing. “I feel great,” she said. “This is a big deal for our community. It’s essentially a sex offender not roaming our streets, messing with our children.” Her words echoed the feelings of many locals who felt unsafe with Moran on the loose.

Moran’s History of Trouble This isn’t the first time Moran has faced serious charges. He was initially arrested on Valentine’s Day in 2022 after allegedly luring a 17-year-old boy to him for sex and buying the underage teen a beer. The incident led to his resignation from the city council a month later.

Last year, Moran was arrested again, this time for stalking a young employee at a Lowe’s store. He was found guilty in April 2022. Despite these convictions, Moran and his father Philip have denied the latest bribery charges.

A Community Breathes a Sigh of Relief The sentencing of Alan Moran has brought a sense of closure for the victim and her family. It also sends a strong message to the community: predators will face justice. While Moran’s legal battles may not be over, the 12-year sentence marks a significant step toward accountability.

For now, the people of Mississippi Coast can feel safer knowing that Alan Moran is no longer a threat. His case serves as a reminder of the importance of speaking out against abuse and exploitation.

As the legal process continues for Moran and his co-defendants, the community hopes for fairness and justice. The victim’s courage in coming forward has already made a difference, and her story may inspire others to do the same.

In the end, this case shows that no one is above the law, and those who harm others will face the consequences.

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