UPDATE: More Victims Have Come Forward – Newburg Man Charged with Sex Abuse of 4-Year-Old

December 1, 2017
Joseph Elmer Rohls, 80, of Newburg

Joseph Elmer Rohls, 80, of Newburg

UPDATE: 12/1/2017: Charles County Sheriff’s detectives are continuing their investigation of Joseph Elmer Rohls, 80, of Newburg, who was arrested on Nov. 22, 2017, and charged with sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl.

Since his arrest, two other victims have come forward and reported Rohls had sexually assaulted them when they were young girls.

Detectives have information Rohls may have assaulted even more children, mostly girls between the ages of 4-7, who may have had ties with his family.

The assaults may have occurred between 1978 and November 2017, in the homes of families he visited and in his own house on Morgantown Road in Newburg.

Anyone whose children may have had contact with Rohls, and who believes their child may have been assaulted by him, should contact Det. J. Feldman at (301) 609-6474. Rohls was charged with several sexual child abuse related offenses.

11/22/2017: Charles County Sheriff’s detectives arrested Joseph Elmer Rohls, 80, of Newburg, in connection with fondling a 4-year-old girl who was at Rohls’ home with relatives recently.

Rohls was arrested on November 22, 2017, at his home in the 9900 block of Morgantown Road, in Newburg.

After speaking with Rohls, detectives learned he may have sexually assaulted other children over the years – the number is unknown – who were most likely between the ages of 4 to 7 years old. Rohls has lived in Newburg most of his life.

Anyone whose children may have had contact with Rohls, and who believes their child may have been assaulted by him, should contact Det. J. Feldman at (301) 609-6474.

Rohls was charged with sex abuse of a minor, third-degree sex offense, fourth-degree sex offense, and second-degree assault.

Joseph Elmer Rohls, 80, of Newburg

Joseph Elmer Rohls, 80, of Newburg