Hebron man sentenced for sexually abusing three minors

SALISBURY, Md. – A Hebron man has been sentenced to more than six decades in prison for sexually abusing minors.

70-year-old Joseph Burton pleaded guilty in January to three separate counts of sex abuse of a minor. The charges stem from an investigation that revealed that for several years from 2018, Burton sexually abused three minor children, ranging in age from 8 to 16 years.

Sentencing had been deferred pending completion of a mandatory pre-sentence investigation and mental health assessment. Last week, a Wicomico County judge sentenced Burton to 65 years behind bars, in addition to requiring him to register as a Tier III Sexual Offender for life. Burton will also be subject to Lifetime Sexual Offender Supervision.