Joppa Man Sentenced In Rape Of 13-Year-Old Frederick County Girl He Met Online: Prosecutor

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A Joppa man has been sentenced in Frederick County Circuit Court after he pleaded guilty to raping a 13-year-old girl he met through social media platforms.

In January 2023, the 13-year-old reported that she had met a 43-year-old man online and had sex with him. The man, Edwin Richard Hunt, had met the girl three weeks prior on social media. He engaged in sexually charged conversations with the minor at first then sent sexually explicit images, according to court documents.

Then Hunt accelerated his pursuit of the minor by travel from Joppa to see the minor at her home in Frederick. On his first visit, he attempted to give the minor "pleasure" toys and on his second visit, he sexually assaulted her in her home. Hunt told the 13-year-old girl that he wanted her to produce a sexually explicit video, court documents revealed.

On Jan. 18, 2023, Hunt engaged in oral, vaginal and anal intercourse with the teen. The next day, he contacted her again with the intent to travel to her and engage in another sexual act.

On Feb. 1, officers with the Frederick Police Department took Hunt into custody and search warrants were executed on his home, business and vehicles. He initially was charged with nine counts.

On Aug. 11, Hunt was sentenced to 40 years suspended all but 20 years after he entered a guilty plea on the charges of second-degree rape, sexual solicitation of a minor and 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,” said State’s Attorney Charlie Smith. “We stand by the bravery of victims who come forward, and we’re resolute in our commitment to their safety. We will continue to work in tandem with other agencies to put an end to such reprehensible behavior.”