Frederick, MD (JK) – A 24-year-old Middletown man has been sentenced to life in prison, with 35 years to serve, after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree murder and a third-degree sex offense in Frederick County.
Judge Scott Rolle handed down the sentence Tuesday in Frederick County Circuit Court to Trey Rice. Prosecutors had requested a sentence above Maryland’s standard guidelines, citing the severity of the crimes.
The case stems from an incident in January 2025 at a holiday staff party at McClintock Distillery in Frederick. According to investigators, the victim was found unconscious in a bathroom late that night after coworkers were unable to locate her. A bartender discovered her on the floor and called 9-1-1. She was taken to Frederick Health Hospital for treatment.
Police were notified the following day after hospital staff documented multiple injuries and conducted a sexual assault forensic exam. The victim told investigators she had little memory after encountering Rice on her way to the restroom.
Surveillance video later showed Rice leaving the building. He was arrested January 15 at his Middletown residence.
Authorities say Rice admitted to attacking and sexually assaulting the victim, telling investigators he had targeted her during the party. He also indicated he believed the victim had died after the assault.
In court, the victim described the lasting impact of the attack, saying her life has been permanently changed.
Upon release, Rice will be subject to five years of supervised probation with strict conditions, including lifetime sex offender registration, GPS monitoring, no internet access, no contact with the victim, and required mental health and psycho-sexual treatment. He will remain under lifetime sex offender supervision.
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