Linthicum Man Gets 12 Years for Soliciting Sex from Supposed Minor

A federal court judge sentenced a Linthicum man to 12 years in prison and lifetime supervision upon release, after the man was caught by authorities attempting to engage a 9-year-old girl in a sexual act, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Maryland.

David Mitchell Rowe, 65, of Linthicum, pleaded guilty to molesting a 9-year-old girl in the pool of the Embassy Suites in Linthicum in June 2011 and then attempting to meet with her via text messages for further sexual activity.

Rowe reportedly gave the pool lifeguard a velvet bag to be delivered to the girl, and the lifeguard gave it to the girl's father. The father discovered inside the bag a gold money clip with the name "Dave" engraved, along with his photo, address and phone numbers, according to Rowe's plea agreement.

The girl's family contacted local law enforcement and, 10 days later, an undercover detective began a text message conversation with Rowe under the identity of the girl. Police recorded more than 200 text messages exchanged with Rowe in three days, where he mentioned the prior molestation, suggested sexual activities for the girl and that he wanted to have sex with her.

Rowe arranged to meet who he thought was the girl, three days after the conversation started. Police arrested Rowe at the location and found a blanket and pillow spread across the back of his van.

Rowe also admitted to molesting an 11-year-old girl visiting his home in the 1970s, and then a 9-year-old girl in 2010 while visiting her family out of state. Police contacted the families of the two girls, and the victims confirmed the incidents.

Rowe will be supervised and forced to register as a sex offender in his neighborhood, place of work and any school facility he attends.

Involved parties included the Anne Arundel County Police Department, the Baltimore County Police Department, the FBI and the Baltimore State's Attorney's Office, all working as part of the nationwide initiative Project Safe Childhood.