HAGERSTOWN MAN TO SERVE 20 YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR AND SEX TRAFFICKING

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APRIL 28, 2025

 

HAGERSTOWN MAN TO SERVE 20 YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR AND SEX TRAFFICKING

 

 

Frederick, MD – Today, in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable Judge Richard Sandy imposed the agreed-upon sentence of 35 years, suspend all but 20 years in the Division of Corrections for 57-year-old Arcelius Dunbar Lyle after his September 26, 2024 guilty plea to sex abuse of a minor and sex trafficking in Frederick, MD.

On June 29, 2023, A Multi-Agency Prostitution/Human Trafficking Operation resulted in Lyle’s arrest, based on the evidence detectives collected from the operation.  Investigation revealed that the Defendant met the victim at work and began grooming her shortly after meeting her.  The Defendant trafficked the victim for approximately 7 months prior to officers making contact with the victim.  After a bond hearing, Lyle was ordered to be held without bond and was ordered to have no contact with the victim in the trafficking case.

On July 10, 2023 Frederick County Sheriff’s Office investigators were made aware of an almost 30-minute jail call from the Defendant to the victim in the trafficking case, in which the Defendant instructed her to sexually abuse her four-year-old child.  That case was referred to Washington County, where the abuse occurred.

“Unfortunately, these cases are much more pervasive than the public realizes,” said State’s Attorney Charlie Smith.  “Fortunately, Frederick County has taken the lead in developing interagency task forces to aggressively seek out these predators, and has prosecutors like ASA Carpenter that obtain lengthy sentences for these terrible offenders.”

Upon release, the Defendant will serve 5 years of supervised probation with all standard conditions and special conditions, including Lifetime Sex Offender Registration and Lifetime Sex Offender Supervision.

Chief Assistant State’s Attorney, Special Victims Unit, Lindsey Carpenter represented the State of Maryland.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

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