Gulfport Parks Employee Charged with Sexual Battery of 8-Year-Old

Police say the 16-year-old girl talked to a school counselor at Boca Ciega High School on Monday. The school counselor then notified a School Resource Officer.

"It had been bothering her for eight years. She finally had the courage to talk to the counselor," Det. Sgt. Robert Burkhart said.

On Thursday night, Burkhart says the department conducted a "controlled phone call" from the victim's home in Gulfport. The 16-year-old spoke with James Vice and during the conversation, Vice admitted to sexual activity that happened eight years ago.

After the calls, Vice was arrested for capital sexual battery on a child under the age of 12, a felony.

There may be more charges because officials say there may have been as many as 60 incidents over the course of one year.

This allegedly happened while the then 8-year-old was under Vice's care in his Gulfport home.

Police have received no information to indicate there are any other victims.

Vice is employed as a parks maintenance worker with the City of Gulfport, and
the city manager's office will provide further information on his employment
status later today.