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Joppa resident Edwin Richard Hunt has been sentenced in Frederick County to 40 years in prison with all but 20 suspended after he preyed on a 13-year-old girl over social media, authorities announced.
On Friday, Jan. 20, detectives from the Frederick County Police Department's Major Crime Unit were contacted about a teen girl who was solicited and raped by a white man in his 40s who was later identified as Hunt, officials said.
Detectives launched an investigation into the allegations, and learned that the 13-year-old girl met and interacted with Hunt on social media platforms, including Reddit and Snapchat.
He then began to enter sexually-charged conversations with the minor while sending illicit photos.
It is alleged that Hunt would drive from his home in Joppa to Frederick in order to engage in sexual activities with the teen at least twice.
On the first visit, prosecutors say that the trip was to "provide the victim with 'pleasure' toys," and the second was to sexually assault her in her home.
The teen said that Hunt also requested a sexually explicit video.
Hunt pleaded guilty earlier this year to:
- Second-degree rape;
- Sexual solicitation of a minor;
- Production of child pornography.
“Every child deserves protection from the dangers of sexual exploitation and abuse, be it online, in-person, or through sexually explicit images,” Frederick County State’s Attorney Charlie Smith said.
“We stand by the bravery of victims who come forward, and we’re resolute in our commitment to their safety," he continued. "We will continue to work in tandem with other agencies to put an end to such reprehensible behavior.”
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