La Plata, MD – A 23-year-old Bryans Road man charged with sex abuse of a minor will face sentencing Sept. 21.
Vernon Christopher Richardson, 23 of Bryans Road, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years after pleading guilty to a third-degree sex offense before Charles County Circuit Court Judge Helen I. Harrington Monday, July 13 in La Plata.
Harrington said that sentencing would be deferred eight weeks as stated by the agreement.
As part of the plea, Richardson will be required to register as a Tier III sex offender under state law.
“It is what it is under Maryland law,” Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney Tiffany Campbell told the court.
Campbell stated that on Jan. 5 the child’s grandparents and parents took the 5-year-old victim to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office after the child indicated that the defendant, “Pulled down her pants and rubbed her vagina.”
The incident allegedly occurred sometime between Dec. 18 and 24, 2014, she said.
“Mr. Richardson is the child’s uncle,” Campbell stated. “At the time of the incident he was 21 years old. He resides there. He was called by the victim’s mother and during the conversation he admitted to the act. When later interviewed by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office he admitted to what he had done.”
Harrington scheduled a pre-sentencing investigation, which is due Sept. 14, and said sentencing would take place Sept. 21.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com