County man gets 10 years for sex crime against girl, 13

Injuries supported teen’s claim of rape against Indian Head resident, 22

Friday, July 25, 2008

The man said he hadn’t realized the girl was so young.

The victim said Quinton Clarence Stith, 22, sexually assaulted her Feb. 11 while she was visiting the home of a mutual friend to use a computer, Charles County Deputy State’s Attorney Jerome R. Spencer told the court at the July 3 plea hearing.

The girl said she escaped by telling Stith she had to use the bathroom, according to Spencer.

Stith told the court Monday that about a minute after the girl left, her mother showed up and hit him five times with a metal baseball bat.

‘‘I was still on the computer when she came,” Stith said.

Charles County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kristen Timko said there was no assault, and the girl’s mother was not charged.

A subsequent medical examination of the girl found injuries that supported her story, Spencer told the court.

Stith’s attorney William Renahan told the court his client says that the intercourse was consensual and that he didn’t know the girl was only 13.

‘‘I asked her about her age, and she said she was 17 or 18,” said Stith at the sentencing.

Stith was charged with nine counts including two counts of second-degree rape, according to Charles County Circuit Court records. He pleaded guilty to second-degree sex offense of a person younger than 14 while being more than four years older.

‘‘He wants you to know he plays semi-pro football in Baltimore,” Renahan told the judge during the hearing.

Nalley gave Stith a 15-year sentence, suspending all but 10 years and giving him credit for the 158 days he has already spent incarcerated.