Maryland Man Sentenced To 75 Years for Sexual Abuse Of A Minor

The State’s Attorney’s Office announced that a Maryland man will spend the next 75 years of his life in state prison for the sexual abuse of a minor. The 28-year-old defendant was sentenced to 75 years with 24 years of active incarceration. He will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. In May 2023, a St. Mary’s County jury convicted the defendant during a three-day trial for committing sexual abuse against the same child between July and September of 2021. During the sentencing phase of the trial, the victim’s mother recommended that the defendant be sentenced to the maximum term allowable under the law. State prosecutors agreed with the victim’s mother and recommended that the defendant face a 75-year sentence. According to prosecutors, the defendant “violated and exploited his position of trust with the minor.” The defendant faced one count of sex abuse of a minor and five counts of sex offense in the third degree.

Sexual abuse of a minor charges in Maryland 

Under Maryland Criminal Law Code § 3-602, an individual is prohibited from committing sexual abuse of a minor when that individual is a family member or household member. The major difference between this criminal act and similar offenses alleging sexual abuse of a minor is the relationship of the perpetrator to the victim.

Under Maryland law, a parent or other person who has permanent or temporary care or custody for the supervision of a minor may not cause sexual abuse to a minor victim. In addition, a household member or family member may not cause sexual abuse to a minor. Examples include parents, uncles, step-parents, significant others who are living with the victim, and grandparents. A family member is defined as a relative of the minor by blood, adoption, or marriage. A household member includes any person who lives with or is a regular presence in a home of a minor at the time of the alleged abuse.

Under Maryland law, sexual abuse is defined as “an act that involves sexual molestation or exploitation of a minor, whether physical injuries are sustained or not. It includes crimes such as incest, rape, a sexual offense in any degree, and unnatural or perverted sexual practices.

Penalties for sexual abuse of a minor 

Anyone found guilty of this offense would be subject to a prison term with a maximum sentence of 25 years. Unlike other sexual abuse crimes, this sentence can be imposed separately and consecutively to other charges that the individual faces. The aforementioned defendant was sentenced consecutively for his various offenses. In addition to prison time, the defendant would have to register as a sex offender for the rest of their life.

Talk to a Maryland Sex Crimes Attorney Today 

The Bel Air criminal defense attorneys at Schlaich & Thompson represent the interests of those charged with various sex crimes under Maryland law. Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense right away.

Source:

fox5dc.com/news/maryland-man-sentenced-to-75-years-for-continued-sexual-abuse-of-a-minor