INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 78-year-old man faces up to life in prison and was awaiting sentencing after a jury found him guilty on child molestation charges stemming from a 2019 criminal case involving two minors.
George Frank Bollis Jr. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The trial for George Frank Bollis Jr. was held at 9:30 a.m. Friday, April 17, at the Indian River County Courthouse. The jury found Bollis guilty of six counts of lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim under 12 and two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation on a victim 12-to-16, court records show.
Assistant State Attorney Brian Workman prosecuted the case. Bollis was represented by defense attorneys Andrew Metcalf, Mark Longwell and Michael Ufferman.
Bollis did not testify during the trial, which was held in the courtroom of Circuit Judge Anastasia Norman. Bollis pled not guilty in the case, court records show.
The court revoked Bollis’ bond. Bollis remained held Friday at the Indian River County Jail.
Indian River County deputies arrested Bollis in May 2019 after two girls – ages 13 and 11 – reported that Bollis sexually abused them several times, reports show. The incidents occurred from June 2016 to August 2018 at Bollis’ home and office.
“Today is a safer day in Indian River County. This man molested two young children in our county,” Deryl Loar, who was the county sheriff at the time, previously said following Bollis’ initial arrest. “Bollis is behind bars where he deserves to be and will face the justice system. We are proud of the victims for having the courage to come forward.”
Bollis’ sentencing was set for 9 a.m. May 13, court records show.
