Gulfport man accused of sexually abusing young girls

GULFPORT (FOX 13) - Gulfport police arrested a 57-year-old man and charged him with sexually battering multiple young girls.

Joseph Forgetta was arrested Saturday night. He's charged with two counts of sexual battery on a child, lewd and lascivious molestation and two counts of production of child porn.

The investigation started when a victim younger than 12 told her mother that Forgetta had engaged in a sex act with her. 

According to police, the victim and two other children spent the night at a home of a family member who is in a relationship with Forgetta.

After investigating, police said they learned of another victim who had been sexually abused by Forgetta twice in the past year. He allegedly took photos and recorded video in those incidents.

Detectives believe there could be more victims, particularly among residents in the area of 52nd Street and 29th Avenue South, close to the suspect's home.