Police arrest former Princess Anne resident for sexually abusing minor child

SOMERSET CO., Md. – A former Princess Anne resident has been arrested following a two-month investigation into sex crimes involving a minor.

Police say the investigation began on December 15th after the victim initially reported the incidents to officials in Wicomico County. It was learned that the acts of abuse occurred at a Beechwood Street address in Somerset County, and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office launched the investigation. Evidence showed that the suspect, identified as 35-year-old John Derenzo, sexually abused and assaulted a minor child from 2019 through 2022. The abuse reportedly began when the child was nine years old and ended when Derenzo moved to Port Lucie, Florida, in the spring of 2022.

Derenzo was arrested on January 26th in Port Lucie after he waived extradition in the State of Florida. He was formally charged with nine counts of second degree rape, six counts of third degree sex offense, attempted second degree rape, an