La Plata, MD – Richard James Rhoades Jr., 23 of La Plata, will face sentencing Oct. 21 on fourth-degree sexual offense and second-degree assault charges for having sexual relations with a minor in 2011 and 2013.
Rhoades could face one year in jail for the sex offense and 10 years for the second-degree assault, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Helen I. Harrington told the defendant Monday, Aug. 17 in La Plata.
Rhoades also faced accusations that he violated his probation after he failed to obey all laws.
Harrington told Rhoades that even though he has eight years, five months and 22 days of backup time, according to the agreement with the state, 18 months would be the most time Judge [Amy. J.] Bragunier could give him in the case.
“In addition, you will be given five years of supervised probation and you will need to register as a sex offender for a period of 15 years,” Harrington said.
The judge also ordered Rhoades to undergo a psychiatric evaluation upon his release.
According to Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney Constance Kopelman, the victim was in the ninth grade when she first met the defendant Aug. 30, 2011.
Kopelman said the defendant, who was 19 to the victim’s 14 years of age, engaged in sexual relations with her at her house in Indian Head and at his home at Bumpy Oak Road in La Plata.
“The couple was having sexual intercourse daily,” Kopelman said.
At some point the couple broke up, she explained, but got back together June 20, 2013.
“The defendant brought liquor to the victim and they had sex,” Kopelman told the court.
The pair conceived a child born in 2014, she added.
“DNA evidence proved the defendant was the father of the baby,” Kopelman stated.
Harrington ordered a pre-sentencing evaluation to be presented to the court Oct. 14. His sentencing will take place Oct. 21.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com