FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 11, 2008

PC Beach man convicted of child molestation

State Attorney Steve Meadows announces the conviction, in Bay County Circuit Court, of Kenneth John Hixenbaugh, on two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Battery.

A five males, one female jury deliberated about 23 minutes, Friday evening, before finding Hixenbaugh, WM, DOB: 1-23-1968, of Dorothy Avenue, Panama City Beach, guilty in the May, 2005, incident. The victim, 15 at the time, testified that Hixenbaugh, 37 at the time and a family friend, had sex with her against her will.

Hixenbaugh was taken into custody upon return of the verdict. Sentencing is set for February 13, 2008. He faces a maximum of 15 years prison on each count.