Offender In One Of 'Worst Cases Of Child Abuse' Seen Sentenced

MILLERSVILLE, MD – Victor Hugo Banuelos, 50, of Millersville was sentenced to 60 years in prison on May 21. Banuelos entered a guilty plea in March 2019 for sexual abuse of a minor, second-degree rape and child pornography. At the sentencing, Judge J. Michael Wachs referred to the crime as one of the worst cases of child abuse he had seen in his career.

"Any sexual assault is truly a heinous act. However, it is even more deplorable when those actions are committed upon a minor," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess in a statement. "The State's Attorney's Office is committed to prosecuting those individuals who commit offenses against the most innocent residents in our community."

In August 2018, Anne Arundel County Police assisted the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services in responding to an anonymous complaint from the Brooklyn Park neighborhood regarding allegations of inappropriate acts against a minor. The complaint identified Banuelos as the offender, according to the Anne Arundel County State Attorney’s Office.

As part of their investigation, police interviewed Banuelos, and he admitted to the sexual abuse of the six-year-old victim from December 2017 to August 2018.