A Poplarville man was arrested by the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department for the alleged sexual battery of a 10-year-old child, according to arrest reports.

Chief Investigator Marc Ogden said the department received a complaint about the alleged crime on May 30. The complainant alleged that 59-year-old Joe Pedrego of 22 H.M Gibson Rd., in Poplarville had possibly abused the young girl.

Pedrego was asked about the allegations, but the detective did not find any evidence during that discussion.

As a follow up in the investigation, a forensic interview was conducted with the victim. Ogden said the forensic interview provided enough evidence to warrant another conversation with Pedrego, which led to his arrest for four counts of sexual battery.

Ogden said the counts are in relation to four instances of abuse against the child.