On February 14, 2019, Rodney Harmon, Jr., age 34, of Stockton, Maryland, was convicted of 3 counts of sexual abuse of a minor and 1 count of displaying an obscene item to a minor by the Honorable Brian D. Shockley, Administrative Judge of the Worcester County Circuit Court. Each count of sexual abuse of a minor carries a maximum penalty of 25 years’ incarceration and displaying an obscene item to a minor carries a maximum penalty of 1 year of incarceration. Sentencing was deferred by the Court pending a pre-sentence investigation.
The charges stem from a complaint of child sexual abuse received by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office in August of 2018. The Worcester County Child Advocacy Center (the Cricket Center) and Child Protective Services began a joint investigation which revealed that Harmon had sexually abused multiple children while serving as a youth pastor for a local church in Pocomoke City, Maryland.
Worcester County State’s Attorney Kris Heiser commended the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the Cricket Center, Life Crisis, and Detective Martin for their tireless work on this investigation, and thanked former Deputy State’s Attorney Diane Karsnitz and Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Farlow for their efforts on this difficult case.
The mission of the Cricket Center is to create a community response in which abusers are held accountable and children and families experience hope and healing. The multidisciplinary team is made up of law enforcement officers, child protective service personnel, prosecutors, lawyers, advocates, mental health therapists and medical personnel. To learn more, or to report suspected child abuse, please contact 410-641-0097.
