(Sept. 1, 2022) Cody Jolley, 32, of Snow Hill, was sentenced on Aug. 25 to four consecutive life sentences plus 75 years in the Division of Corrections for his conviction on the charges of four counts of rape in the second degree, two counts of sexual abuse of a minor, sexual solicitation of a minor, two counts of sex offense in the third degree, attempted rape, and two counts of sex offense in the fourth degree.

He was found guilty by a jury after trial in the Worcester County Circuit Court on May 18.

The Honorable William Jones of the Dorchester County Circuit Court presided over the case and imposed the sentence, ordering Jolley to serve a total of 105 years of active incarceration, with 60 of those years as a mandatory minimum sentence with no parole eligibility.

If released, Jolley must register as a lifetime sex offender, have no contact with minor children, submit a DNA sample and will be monitored by special offender supervision.

The charges stem from a complaint of sexual abuse made by a third-grade student and reported to the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office in May 2021.

A forensic interview of the child was conducted by a social worker at the CRICKET Center, Worcester County’s Child Advocacy Center. Further investigation by detectives revealed Jolley had abused the child for over a year and resulted in Jolley being placed under arrest and indicted on multiple sex offenses.

Worcester County State’s Attorney Kris Heiser commended the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, the CRICKET Center, the Department of Social Services, and Det. Martin for their tireless investigation and thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Pamela Correa and Kathryn Gravely for prosecuting this difficult case.

The mission of the Cricket Center is to create a community response in which abusers are held accountable and children and families experience hope and healing.

The multidisciplinary team is made up of law enforcement officers, child protective service personnel, prosecutors, advocates, mental health therapists and medical personnel.

To learn more, or to report suspected child abuse, please contact 410-641-0097.