La Plata, MD – An Upper Marlboro man who sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl while staying with her family was sentenced to 33 years in the Maryland Department of Corrections Wednesday, Feb. 18 by Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West.
Antonio Eugene Canada, 31, entered a plea agreement with the state of Maryland on count 1, sex abuse of a minor, and count 6, sex offense-second degree.
Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah K. Freeman told the court that the court could do consecutive sentencing on the two charges and that they could run concurrently.
Although Canada’s attorney, Luke Woods, argued that sentencing guidelines should be less than what the state was suggesting, Freeman countered that while the defendant only admitted to assaulting the child on two specific dates, she said, “The defendant violated this young girl with digital penetration on multiple occasions.
“This is specifically why we selected these two counts,” she said.
Freeman explained that Canada was a friend of the girl’s step-father and that the attacks occurred while family members were asleep. She said Canada offered the victim an electronic tablet to play with while she laid on her side. He then removed the victim’s underwear and put his hand on her vagina and placed his finger in her vagina.
“He said he wanted to know how she would respond to him touching her,” Freeman said. “She didn’t respond, so he stopped.”
Freeman read letters from the victim, her mother and grandmother.
“He stole my daughter’s innocence,” the mother stated.
“He broke the trust of the family and violated a 10-year-old minor child,” Freeman said.
Woods told the court that while Canada has the lowest level of mental capability and has a “borderline intellectual disability.
“Mr. Canada is not expecting a slap on the wrist,” he said. “He knows he’s going to jail today.”
Canada’s parents, in an emotional statement to the victim’s mother, said they would “give our lives to change what our son has done to your daughter.”
West then sentenced Canada to 38 years with five years suspended, meaning he will be facing 33 years in the Maryland Department of Corrections.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com