Odenton Man Sexually Abused Minor, Sentenced Seven Years

ODENTON, MD — An Odenton man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl will serve seven years in prison for his crime. On Monday, Judge Michele D. Jaklitsch presided over the sentencing at Anne Arundel County Circuit Court.

On Sept. 5, 2016, Panagiostis Karambilas, 66, of Odenton, was caught on video engaging in sexual acts with the child before an officer arrived, authorities say. He was in a public playground where the responding officer reported seeing Karambilas placing his hand in the girl's underwear, rubbing her genitals, prosecutors said.

"Not only did Mr. Karambilas physically violate an innocent child, he violated her trust in humanity," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams in a news release. "She will bear the hurt he has caused her for many years to come."

Karambilas pleaded guilty on Jan. 30 to the charge of sex abuse of a minor. Of the maximum 25 years in prison, he was sentenced 16, and all but seven years of his sentence were suspended.

Karambilas will be on five years' probation after his release from prison. He is required to register as a sex offender.

In fashioning her sentence, Circuit Court Judge Michele D. Jaklitsch relied on the Maryland sentencing guidelines of five to ten years of active incarceration. "I appreciate the sentence of seven years of active incarceration," Adams said. "I am grateful Mr. Karambalis will be monitored upon his release by our most stringent sex offender monitoring program."

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