Kenneth William Rice
Leonardtown, MD — A Mechanicsville man has been sentenced to almost seven years in jail for violating his probation in a case in which he allegedly committed a sexual offense with a pre-teenage girl and physically abused her. Kenneth Rice, 51, was sentenced Monday in St. Mary’s County Circuit Court by Judge Michael Stamm.
Rice was originally sentenced to a total of 420 days in jail after pleading guilty May 16, 2011 to child abuse first-degree: severe physical injury and sex offense fourth degree. A total of six years, ten months and six days was suspended. That suspended portion was reinstated and Rice was given credit for the 136 days he has been in jail since his most recent arrest.
According to prosecutor John Pleisse, Rice had violated his probation for failing to report moving out of state, having contact with the victim, having unsupervised contact with individuals under 18 years of age and failing to obey all laws by being arrested in the state of North Carolina, all conditions of his original probation.
Rice admitted to the probation violation and when given the opportunity to speak was unable to do so because he was choked up with emotion. Rice was represented at the sentencing by Prince Frederick attorney Mark Palumbo.
During the original sentencing hearing Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Stanalonis said that the victim told police that in 2008 Rice had engaged in sexual contact with her. Stanalonis said that the girl’s mother admitted to police that she was aware of the alleged incident.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebatnet.com