HEBRON MAN SENTENCED TO 65 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS
Wicomico County, MD - On March 22, 2024, Joseph Burton, a 70-year-old resident of Hebron, Maryland, was sentenced to 65 years of incarceration by the Honorable S. James Sarbanes, Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, Maryland, after pleading guilty to three separate counts of sexual abuse of a minor.
Burton's sentencing was deferred on January 23, 2024, pending completion of a mandatory pre-sentence investigation and mental health assessment. Upon his release, Burton will be mandated for lifetime sexual offender supervision and registration as a Tier III Sexual Offender.
The sentencing comes as a result of multiple years of sexual abuse, from 2018 onwards, that Burton inflicted on three minors within his household, with ages ranging from eight to sixteen years.
Wicomico County's State's Attorney (SA), Jamie L. Dykes stated, "When any child is sexually abused, it is horrific. The fact that three children fell prey to this abuse is an unspeakable evil. There are many factors that led to justice in this case. Because of the diligent investigation by law enforcement, the multi-disciplinary approach employed by the Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center (CAC), the resolute sentence of the Court, and, of course, the courage of the survivors, this offender will remain behind bars for decades to come."
Dykes further highlighted the contributions of Detective M. Rockwell of the Salisbury Police Department, who led the investigation, Child Protective Services, members of the CAC, and Senior Assistant State's Attorney Michael Calabrese, who prosecuted the case.
This case serves as a significant victory for the justice system in dealing with sexual offenses against minors, aiming to protect the most vulnerable of society and ensuring that those who violate these boundaries are penalized accordingly.
Burton's sentencing was deferred on January 23, 2024, pending completion of a mandatory pre-sentence investigation and mental health assessment. Upon his release, Burton will be mandated for lifetime sexual offender supervision and registration as a Tier III Sexual Offender.
The sentencing comes as a result of multiple years of sexual abuse, from 2018 onwards, that Burton inflicted on three minors within his household, with ages ranging from eight to sixteen years.
Wicomico County's State's Attorney (SA), Jamie L. Dykes stated, "When any child is sexually abused, it is horrific. The fact that three children fell prey to this abuse is an unspeakable evil. There are many factors that led to justice in this case. Because of the diligent investigation by law enforcement, the multi-disciplinary approach employed by the Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center (CAC), the resolute sentence of the Court, and, of course, the courage of the survivors, this offender will remain behind bars for decades to come."
Dykes further highlighted the contributions of Detective M. Rockwell of the Salisbury Police Department, who led the investigation, Child Protective Services, members of the CAC, and Senior Assistant State's Attorney Michael Calabrese, who prosecuted the case.
This case serves as a significant victory for the justice system in dealing with sexual offenses against minors, aiming to protect the most vulnerable of society and ensuring that those who violate these boundaries are penalized accordingly.
