ESSEX MAN TO SERVE 35 YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR SEX ABUSE OF A MINOR AND TWO COUNTS OF SECOND-DEGREE RAPE

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

APRIL 22, 2025

ESSEX MAN TO SERVE 35 YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR SEX ABUSE OF A MINOR AND TWO COUNTS OF SECOND-DEGREE RAPE

Frederick, MD – Today, in Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable Judge Scott Rolle sentenced 32-year old Douglas Paul Otto, of Essex, Maryland to Life plus 25 years, suspend all but 35 years in the Division of Corrections for Sex Abuse of a Minor, Second-Degree Statutory Rape and Second-Degree Forcible Rape.  On October 3, 2024 the Defendant was found guilty by a jury during the four-day trial.

On January 4, 2023, the Frederick Police Department received a report of sexual abuse of a minor for an incident that occurred in the past from Child Protective Services.   An extensive investigation by the Child Advocacy Center, the State’s Attorney’s Office, Frederick Police Department and Child Protective Services revealed the Defendant had resided at the minor victim’s home at the time of the incident and that the abuse occurred inside the residence.

“This was a very difficult case to prove,” said State’s Attorney Charlie Smith, “but due to Chief ASA Carpenter’s perseverance, the victim received justice and this predator will be in prison for a very long time.”

Upon release, the Defendant is ordered to serve five years of supervised probation with the Sex Offender Management Team, with all standard conditions, and will be required to register as a Tier III, Lifetime Sex Offender in Maryland, and be subject to 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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