Pittsville Man Gets 35 Years for Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Second Degree Assault

Wicomico County, MD - A Wicomico County judge handed down the maximum sentence possible this week for a Pittsville man convicted of sexually abusing a child in his own home.

On July 17, 2026, Circuit Court Judge Karen M. Dean sentenced Oliver Kennedy, 51, to 35 years in prison. A jury had convicted Kennedy following a three-day trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor and second-degree assault.

Court records show the abuse happened between 2018 and 2023. The victim was under 12 years old at the time.

If Kennedy is ever released, he won't be free and clear. He'll face lifetime sexual offender supervision and must register as a Tier III sex offender, the most serious classification under Maryland law.

Wicomico County State's Attorney Jamie L. Dykes spoke out after the sentencing. "Sexual abuse of children is an intolerable crime. The harm inflicted by such abhorrent acts causes life-long trauma for survivors and affects all spheres of their lives. This outcome serves justice and was delivered as a result of the strength of the survivor when testifying, the jury's considered verdict, and the Court's powerful sentence. In sentencing this Defendant to the maximum penalty possible, the Court has reaffirmed Wicomico County's commitment to keeping children safe from those who prey upon the most vulnerable among us."

Dykes also praised everyone who worked to bring the case to trial. That includes Sergeant J. Seichepine of the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, who led the investigation, along with Child Protective Services and the Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center.

Senior Assistant State's Attorney Michael Calabrese prosecuted the case for the state.

Cases like this one are a reminder that local law enforcement and child advocacy groups work together closely to protect kids in our community. The outcome here shows that when survivors come forward, the system can deliver real accountability.