FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
November 6, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FT. MEADE WOMAN INDICTED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR
First Woman Charged Under Maryland’s Project Safe Childhood Program
Baltimore, Maryland - A federal grand jury today indicted Sarah E. Ellison, age 31, of Ft. Meade, Maryland, for sexual abuse of a minor, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to the two count indictment, Ellison operated a day care from her home in Ft. Meade, an area within the special territorial jurisdiction of the United States. The victim, a male between 12 and 16 years of age, attended middle school and was friends with Ellison’s step-children. This victim was not a day care participant. Due to his friendship with Ellison’s step-children the victim spent time after school at Ellison’s residence. The indictment alleges that from November 2005 to June 2006 Ellison and the victim had sexual contact, touching each other approximately 10 to 20 times during that time period.
Ellison faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for sexual abuse of a minor. No court appearance has been scheduled.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Army Criminal Investigation Division and the Department of Defense - Office of Inspector General for their investigative work. Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant United States Attorney Bonnie S. Greenberg, who are prosecuting the case.