Randallstown Man Sentenced To 25 Years In Attempted Rape Case

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — A Randallstown man was sentenced this week to 25 years in prison for an attempted rape. He was on probation when the crime occurred in 2020, according to prosecutors, and will not be eligible for parole.

Officials said the charge stemmed from a house cleaning incident.

Kelly Branch, 29, hired a woman to clean his home, but when she got to the residence in the 3700 block of Valley Hill Drive, he said he could not pay her, according to prosecutors.

When the woman tried to leave, Branch sexually assaulted and tried to rape her, according to prosecutors, who said she was eventually able to escape and reported the attack immediately after the attack on Sept. 8, 2020.

"On the day of the attack and throughout the court process," prosecutor Lisa Dever said the victim showed "amazing strength and courage."

It was not the first crime on Branch's record.

After being convicted of robbery in 2012, Branch was sentenced to nine months in jail.

Following a 2016 assault, court records show Branch was sentenced to five years in jail. Prosecutors said he was released after 3.5 years and placed on probation.

Judge Dennis Robinson issued an enhanced sentence of 25 years without the eligibility of parole based on Branch's criminal record, prosecutors said.

“It is my hope that the message be sent to Kelly Branch and to all others," Baltimore County State's Attorney Scott Shellenberger said in a statement, "we will do everything possible to protect the citizens from sexual attacks."