Mardela man sentenced for sexually abusing minor, manufacturing child pornography

SALISBURY, Md. – A Mardela man has been sentenced to more than three decades in prison for sexually abusing a minor.

The investigation began in January of this year, when the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Mardela Springs for a reported rape. It was determined that the suspect, 31-year-old Joseph Norman Jr., had forced a juvenile to have oral sex with him on multiple occasions. It was also discovered that Norman photographed the juvenile during one of the sex acts. He was initially arrested and later released on an unsecured bond.

In February, a Wicomico County Grand Jury indicted Norman on a total of 32 charges, including, but not limited to, numerous counts of second degree rape, sex abuse of a minor, possession of child pornography, and child porn film in sex act. He was taken into custody three days later and held without bond.

Norman pleaded guilty in June to sex abuse of a minor, two counts of third degree sexual offense, and manufacturing child pornography. He was sentenced last week to 35 years behind bars, with 5 years of supervised probation upon release. He will also be subject to 20 years of incarceration should he violate probation, and will be required to register as a Tier III sex offender for life.