Joshua Tauber

Pocomoke man guilty on nine counts of sex abuse with three minor children

By Brian Gilliland, Associate Editor

(Feb. 15, 2018) Joshua Tauber, 24, of Pocomoke City was convicted last week of nine felony counts of various sex abuse charges relating to incidents between him and three minors, at least one a family member or member of his household, and underscoring a course of conduct begun when he was a minor himself.

Tauber was convicted of sex abuse of a family or household member, three counts of sex abuse in the second-degree, four counts of sex abuse in the third degree and a course of conduct of abuse spanning from 2009 until 2015. He was found not guilty of one count of second-degree sex abuse by Judge Richard Bloxom in Circuit Court in Snow Hill.

Second-degree sex offense in Maryland covers several inappropriate behaviors, including performing a sexual act by force or threat of force without consent, initiating such activity on someone who is impaired or incapacitated or on a person who is under the age of 14 while the perpetrator is at least four years older than the victim. Conviction of this offense carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years, unless the court is otherwise advised by prosecutors.

Third-degree sex offense in Maryland encompasses using weapons or threats to coerce someone into performing a sexual act, performing an act on an impaired person or a person aged 21 or over having sexual contact with someone aged 15 years or younger. Conviction on this offense carries a jail term of not less than 10 years.

The course of conduct conviction carries a term not to exceed 30 years, and the family/household member conviction carries a term not to exceed 25 years.

According to court documents, Tauber had contact with at least one of his victims as recently as January 2017. During a phone conversation initiated by an apparent victim, Tauber asked the person to change an official statement.

“What do you want me to tell them, Josh,” the apparent victim is heard to ask on the recorded conversation.

“I don’t know. Tell them you take it back; tell them you lied. I don’t give a f—- what you tell them,” Tauber replied.

“But the thing is, I didn’t lie,” the victim states.

“Man we’re not, we’re not doing this,” Tauber said.

The conversation continues for several minutes after this exchange. The call took place on Jan. 12, 2017 from 1:07 p.m. until 1:29 p.m. according to court records.

Tauber had posted $100,000 bail, which was revoked after he was convicted. He will be held at the Worcester County jail until his sentencing, now scheduled for May 4.

“Detective Vicki Martin of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy State’s Attorney Diane Karsnitz deserve our sincere appreciation for holding this man accountable for his abhorrent and vile behavior. Preying upon children has no place in Worcester County – and Detective Martin, DSA Karsnitz and the Child Advocacy Center sent that message loud and clear,” Interim State’s Attorney Bill McDermott said.