Edgewater Man Gets 10 Years in Prison for Sex Abuse of Minors

Edgewater resident John Charles Villiers-Farrow, 67, was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison for sexually abusing two minors over the course of several years, according to a release issued by the Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office.

Villiers-Farrow, who is the brother of actress Mia Farrow, was charged with second- and third-degree sex offense; two counts of perverted practice, second-degree child abuse, sex abuse of a minor and second-degree assault. He halted his trial in July when he pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a minor. 

One victim alleged that Villiers-Farrow abused him multiple times when the victim was between the ages of 9 and 16, states the release. A second victim also claimed that he was sexually abused by Villiers-Farrow numerous times over a five-year period, ending when the victim was 13 years old.

According to the original charging documents from the State's Attorney's office, the victims alleged that Villiers-Farrow was a neighbor who showed the boys pornographic movies before initiating sexual contact. 

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Laura S. Kiessling sentenced Villiers-Farrow to 25 years in prison, with all but 10 years suspended, according to the release. Upon his release, he will be on supervised probation for five years. He will also be required to register as a Tier 3 sex offender—a lifetime registration—and he will be prohibited from having any contact with his victims or with any children under 18 years of age. 

This story includes reporting by Local Editor Kaitlyn Carr.