James Edison Smith Jr.
Prince Frederick, MD – A Calvert County man indicted earlier this year has pleaded guilty to a single count of sex abuse of a minor: house/minor. The charges against the defendant, James Edison Smith Jr., 33 of Prince Frederick, stem from allegations of the abuse of a female described in court documents as “under the age of 14 years.” The abuse allegedly occurred between Jan. 1, 2014 and Sept. 30, 2015.
Smith entered the plea Thursday, June 23 in Calvert County Circuit Court.
Smith and his wife—Michelle Fountain Smith, 30 of Prince Frederick—were jointly indicted. The couple ran a daycare facility out of their home and owned a second facility in a local industrial park. Michelle Smith was indicted on one count of neglect of a minor. She is scheduled to go on trial on that charge next month.
The court has ordered a pre-sentence investigation. A sentencing date has not been determined. The charge that James Smith pled guilty to is a felony punishable by a maximum of 25 years in jail.
He remains incarcerated in the Calvert County Detention Center.
James Smith is being represented by attorney Luis F. Gomez Jr. The case is being prosecuted by Calvert County Deputy State’s Attorney Kathryn Marsh.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com