On September 14, 2023, Detectives with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received an update that 53-year-old, Christopher McHoward was found guilty by a jury on 12 cases, all sexual in nature. The charges included sexual abuse 1st degree, sodomy 1st degree and rape 1st degree. There were five young, juvenile victims who came forward regarding the abuse. The youngest victim was 5 years old at the time the abuse began.
Lieutenant Detective Michael Jackson was assigned the first case in June 2016. He has worked diligently to seek justice for his young victims, all who were under the age of 12 when the abuse began. Detective Jackson, who has been with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for almost 23 years, worked with multiple agencies, including “The Prescott House”, the Department of Human Resources and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, for the past seven years to see justice served for these children.
“The dedication of those involved in the conviction of this child predator is honorable. Everyone involved in this case, the detectives, the forensic investigators and the Deputy District Attorney’s should be commended in this successful effort”, said Sheriff Mark Pettway. Pettway’s detectives investigated relentlessly, facing delays, such as Covid, on the way to this prosecution. Lieutenant Jackson said, “Some of these victims are now teenagers and have lived through a lot already. I hope this can give them some kind of closure so they can move forward and live a happy, productive life.”