Sex Offender's Sentence Will 'Protect The Community:' Harford County State's Attorney

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A Middle River man has received the maximum sentence for the sexual abuse of a Harford County girl that happened in the tween's home.

On Sept. 25, 2019, a 12-year-old girl was found by her mother and sister crying and upset in the basement of their Edgewood home. The girl told her family that while she was watching a movie with her sister and 51-year-old Marvin Scriven, he adjusted himself so that his genitals were outside his basketball shorts and visible to the girl, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

Three times Scriven pulled the 12-year-old girl's hand toward his genitals, forcing her to touch him, despite her attempts to pull her hand away. The Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office shared during the two-day jury trial that Scriven gave several inconsistent statements to police when describing what happened between him and the child.

After being convicted of sexual abuse of a minor and third-degree sex abuse, Scriven was sentenced Jan. 2. On the charge of sexual abuse of a minor, Scriven was sentenced to the maximum time of 25 years in prison.

The third-degree sex offense brought a sentencing of an additional 10 years, all of which was suspended. Once released from prison, he will have five years of supervised probation and a lifetime sex offender registry requirement, according to the State's Attorney's Office.

When handing down the sentence, "the court emphasized the need to protect the community," said Harford County State's Attorney Alison M. Healey.

"We continue to deliver on our promise to hold criminals accountable and be a champion for victims of crime. This sentence is a further demonstration of that commitment. This community is safer with this sexual predator behind bars for decades to come," Healey said.

Related: Girl Targeted In Sex Abuse While Watching Movie, Suspect Convicted