Gaithersburg Man Charged After Child Reports Sexual Assault at Quince Orchard Library

Police urge parents to speak with children, say more victims may be involved.

Frederick, MD (JK) – Montgomery County Police have arrested a Gaithersburg man accused of inappropriately touching a child at the Quince Orchard Library and say there may be additional victims.

Investigators report that on July 24, 2025, a girl at the library told her parent she had been touched by a man later identified as 49-year-old Charles Newton Townsend IV (pictured above). Detectives reviewed surveillance footage that showed two separate encounters between Townsend and children, leading to further concerns.

Townsend was identified on July 30, and an arrest warrant was issued on August 22. He was taken into custody on August 29 and is charged with two counts of fourth-degree sexual contact and two counts of second-degree assault. Townsend is being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

The Special Victims Investigations Division believes there could be more victims. Parents whose children visited the Quince Orchard Library are urged to talk with them and contact detectives at 240-773-5400 if they have any information.