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Baltimore Man Sentenced For Rape Of 14-Year-Old Neighbor

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A Baltimore man will spend 14 years in prison after police and prosecutors say he raped a 14-year-old girl.

On January 8, the victim told her aunt and legal guardian that she had been raped by Todd Graves, a neighbor and friend of the family, on New Year's Day.

The aunt confronted Graves, who denied the accusations but then fled the home. She contacted police and the victim was taken to the Baltimore Child Abuse Center for a forensic interview.

During the interview, the victim stated her aunt had asked Graves to take her to get some coffee, but instead of driving to the coffee shop, he drove to his home on the 3000 block of E. Federal Street.

The victim said Graves then grabbed her out of his truck and made her go inside, where he began rubbing her thigh before leading her to the couch in the living room where he continued his sexual assault.

Afterwards, she said Graves drove her to the coffee shop before taking her back home.

She told a friend a week later, who encouraged her to tell her aunt as well.

"It is disheartening that a young girl entrusted in the temporary care of an adult could suffer such victimization," said State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby. "While nothing can undo this horrific incident, I am thankful that she had the courage to come forward and allow us to achieve justice on her behalf."

Assistant State's Attorney Eileen Murphy prosecuted the case and was seeking an 18-year prison sentence. A judge handed down 25 years with all but 14 years suspended.

Graves also got five years probation and will be required to register as a lifetime sex offender.

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