Teen Sexually Abused At D.C. Youth Rehab Center By Employee From Temple Hills

TEMPLE HILLS, MD — A Prince George's County man responsible for teens detained after being arrested has been found guilty of sexually abusing a 17-year-old in his care.

The jury deliberated for one day following an eight-day trial and found Kelvin Powell, 63, of Temple Hills, guilty of 16 counts: four counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a ward, four counts of first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, four counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a ward and four counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor.

According to evidence presented at the trial, Powell served as a youth development representative at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services’ Youth Services Center. DYRS is the District of Columbia government agency responsible for the supervision, custody and care of young people detained while pending charges for a delinquent act.

Powell was responsible for the care, custody and control of the juveniles being detained at the center, prosecutors said.

“The defendant used his position of authority to repeatedly sexually abuse a minor who was in his care and more than four decades younger than him,” said United States Attorney Jeanine Pirro. “The power imbalance allowed him to repeatedly victimize a young girl who was under his protection. These crimes were reprehensible. As shown here, prosecutors in my office and our partners at the FBI and MPD will go to every length to uncover such acts, prove them in court and hold the offenders accountable.”

Testimony and court documents showed that from December 2021 through February 2022, Powell repeatedly sexually abused a then-17-year-old residing at YSC. During that time, Powell would isolate the minor in areas of the center that were not covered by video surveillance cameras in order to sexually abuse the youth.

“Powell used his position of trust to prey upon a minor who counted on him for care and protection," said Assistant Director in Charge Steven Jensen of the FBI's Washington Field Office. "(The) verdict is the next step in bringing the full measure of justice to those who would abuse their authority to harm vulnerable children.”

Powell faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison for first-degree sexual abuse of a minor, 7.5 years for second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, 10 years for first-degree sexual abuse of a ward and five years for second-degree sexual abuse of a ward.

Get The Latest Local News (For Free!) With One Quick Tap