PANAMA CITY — A 47-year-old man was arrested earlier this week and charged with sexual battery on a person with a mental handicap, according to the Bay County Sheriff's Office.
Gary Lynn Sprouse, of 5837 Tree Farm Road, was arrested Monday, two days after BCSO investigators responded to the emergency room of a local hospital, where the victim and her family gave statements indicating Sprouse attacked her.
Sprouse allegedly emerged from the bathroom of the victim’s family’s home after an unusually long time and left the home. The victim later came out of the bathroom complaining of pain, and she told her family Sprouse attacked her. The victim, who is mentally handicapped, had physical signs consistent with her allegations.
Sprouse, who has a history of criminal convictions for drug crimes and violent crimes, is being held in the Bay County Jail. His bond is $50,000.