LEONARDTOWN, Md. (Nov. 23, 2016)—A 44 year-old Leonardtown woman recently pled guilty to a 4th degree sex offense and 2nd degree assault in connection with a sexual relationship with a male juvenile. Local police began investigating Kimberly Ann Lashley on September 9 after receiving reports of the relationship.
Information received by the Sheriff's Office suggested Lashley was actively involved in an ongoing sexual relationship with a male juvenile who was residing with Lashley in the Leonardtown area. The investigation conducted by Detective Corporal Robert Merritt revealed evidence of a sexual relationship between the juvenile and Lashley, beginning in the summer of 2016 and continuing through the onset of the investigation. Detective Merritt also discovered that during the summer months of 2016, Lashley hosted numerous parties where alcohol was available to several juveniles in attendance and witnesses stated Lashley purchased alcohol for the juveniles. Witnesses also reported that on several occasions, Lashley consumed alcohol with them at her home.
Lashley was charged with her sexual relationship with the male victim, and she pled guilty to one count of a Fourth Degree Sex Offense and one count of a Second Degree Assault on November 11, 2016, during an appearance in front of St. Mary's County Circuit Court Judge Karen Abrams. Lashley's sentencing has been deferred pending the completion of a Pre-Sentence Investigation.
Detectives from the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division, with the assistance of the Special Operations Division, conducted the investigation.