Laurel Man Sentenced in Child Sexual Abuse Case

A 34-year-old Laurel man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty in November, 2025 to multiple felony charges, including continuous sexual abuse of a child and dealing in child pornography. A related case remains pending in Maryland. The charges Jesse Frank faces stem from a multi-state investigation that began in March 2025, when Laurel police received reports of ongoing sexual abuse involving a minor in Delaware and Maryland. Frank was arrested in April 2025 and later indicted. The investigation was conducted in coordination with Maryland authorities, the Delaware Division of Family Services, and the Sussex County Department of Justice.

Jesse Frank

List of Charges:

As a result of the investigation, Frank was charged in Delaware with the following offenses:

• Rape in the Second Degree (Class B Felony) – 2 counts
• Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child (Class B Felony)
• Sexual Solicitation of a Child (Class B Felony)
• Sexual Abuse of a Child by a Person of Trust in the Second Degree (Class F Felony) – 8 counts
• Unlawful Sexual Contact in the Second Degree with a Minor (Class F Felony) – 8 counts

Additional Information:

Frank was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court #2 and remanded to the custody of the Sussex Correctional Institution in lieu of posting a $304,000 cash-only bond.

Following the arrest, Frank was later indicted on two counts of Dealing in Child Pornography (Class B Felony).

On November 7, 2025, Frank pled guilty to both counts, as well as to Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child (Class B Felony).

On January 7, 2026, Frank was sentenced to a total of 14 years of incarceration at a Level V facility, followed by probation. Frank also has a related case that remains pending in the State of Maryland.

Throughout the investigation, the Laurel Police Department worked in close coordination with the Delaware Division of Family Services to ensure the safety and welfare of the victim. The investigation and subsequent prosecution were conducted in collaboration with the Sussex County Department of Justice, whose assistance was instrumental in advancing the case through the judicial process.

NOTE: Frank is pending adjudication on similar charges in Maryland.