After deliberating one hour, a six-man, six-woman Warren County jury found William E. Little of Edwards guilty Tuesday of child sexual molestation.

Little, 56, of Askew Ferry Road, will be sentenced March 26 by Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick. He faces up to 15 years in prison.

Little was accused of sexually abusing a child under the age of 16 in Warren County in 2006. He also faces similar charges in Hinds County for a 2007 incident involving the same victim.

Among those taking the stand was the victim, who testified to repeated instances of sexual acts initiated by Little, who was indicted in May 2008 by a Warren County grand jury.

Little also testified in his defense, denying that he was the abuser and suggesting another man had committed the assaults.

In his closing argument to the jury, Little’s attorney, Eugene Perrier, called into question the reliability of theyoung victim, the experience of a social worker and the timeline of events, suggesting they added up to a reasonable doubt.

But District Attorney Ricky Smith pointed out that in numerous statements, interviews and the testimony, the victim consistently identified Little as the abuser.

State law protects the identity of juvenile victims in molestation cases.

The trial began Monday with jury selection and initial testimony.

Contact Pamela Hitchins at phitchins@vicksburgpost.com