Wednesday, May 29, 2024

WASHINGTON – Gary Bellinger, 61, of Maryland, was convicted today of one count of first-degree child sexual abuse and one count of second-degree child sexual abuse. The verdict, announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Pamela A. Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), follows a four-day trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Maribeth Raffinan scheduled sentencing for August 30, 2024.

            According to the evidence and testimony presented at trial, in 2015, Bellinger sexually abused a female relative who was 15 years old at the time.

            Bellinger faces the potential of life imprisonment without the opportunity of release. If he were to be released, Bellinger would be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

            In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marco Crocetti and Kathleen Houck.