Frederick Man Gets 18 Year-Sentence For Sex Offenses Against Two Minors

He will be placed on five-years supervised probation after he’s released.Donald Bernard Brooks  (Photo from Frederick Count State’s Attorney’s Office)Frederick, Md (KM) Sentence was handed down on Wednesday to a Frederick man for one count of 2nd-degree sex offense, and two counts of 3rd-sex offense against two minors. Donald Bernard Brooks, 67, was given 18 years in prison.  He pleaded guilty to both charges.The State’s Attorney’s Office says one of the victims who was a seven years old boy at the time of his abuse. spoke in court on Wednesday.. He said Brooks, who was 36 years of age, sexually assaulted him in the home of a family friend.    He waited until he was 18 and told the story to his mother who contacted police. The victim declined to file charges. But he contacted police on July 15th, 2024 after learning that Brooks was babysitting minor children.The second victim was a woman who contacted Frederick Police on August 5th,  2024, after learning of the defendant’s arrest.  She told authorities that Brooks sexually abused her multiple times when she  was seven years old.  She told her mother who decided not to press charges.  but  told her daughter not to go over  Brooks’ home any longer.The State’s Attorney’s Office says investigators became aware of three other  victims. But charges were not filed as the victims could not be fully identified, or declined to proceed with an investigation.One of the victims spoke in court during sentencing as part of a victim  impact statement. “”This is healing for me. He ruined my whole life. It replayed in my head over and over, so many nightmares.”A second victim  also testified in court on Wednesday. “No one should have to give a statement like this.  He was like family to me.  He used  every opportunity to abuse me.”State’s Attorney Charlie Smith  complemented the victims for coming forward. “This is really a story of courage. The courage for these victims to come forward many years later to make sure that his abuse did not happen to anyone else is truly admirable,” Smith said.As part of his sentence, Brooks will be placed on five-years supervised probation when he gets out of prison, and must have no contact with the victims, or any minor child. There will also be additional electronic and internet monitoring, the State’s Attorney’s Office says.By Kevin McManus