Severn Man Sentenced in Attempted Rape Behind Church

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ANNAPOLIS, MD – A Severn man who tried to rape a woman as she walked home from Downtown Annapolis has been sentenced to prison for sexual assault, authorities said.

Marcus Snipes, 24, of Severn, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with all but five years suspended, for fourth-degree sex offense and first-degree assault, said Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Wes Adams. The attack happened April 25 in the parking lot of St. Mary’s Parish and schools.

“This young man had a bright future as a star athlete and threw it away,” Adams said in a news release. “Long after the bruises heal, this victim will be forever impacted by the egregious actions of Mr. Snipes.”

Authorities say Snipes met the victim in downtown Annapolis and reportedly followed the group when they visited several bars. At the end of the evening, the victim began to walk home to Eastport. Snipes offered to give her a ride and walked her into the church parking lot, where he attacked her.

Bystanders heard the woman, 31, from Pasadena, scream, came to her aid.

Two women who heard the screaming also went to help the victim. They tried to hold Snipes until officers arrived, but he was able to run away.

Officers eventually discovered Snipes sitting in a chair in the rear yard of a home in the unit block of Shipwright Street, police say.