Forest Hill man found guilty of rape near Bel Air swim club in 2023 – Baltimore Sun

A Forest Hill man was convicted Monday of raping an 18-year-old woman behind her family home near the Rock Spring Swim Club in Bel Air in 2023.

Kareem Parker, 30, was convicted in district court of first- and second-degree rape and a third-degree sex offense, according to the Harford County District Attorney’s Office.

A few weeks before the rape, Parker and the 18-year-old woman communicated on Instagram, but Parker began threatening her if she did not continue contact with him, charging documents state.

On Aug. 26, the victim walked through the woods behind her family home to meet Parker, and he again threatened her if she didn’t do what he wanted, charging documents say.

Parker pulled out a knife and pushed the victim to the ground, knocking her unconscious, charging documents say. When she regained consciousness, she found her pants had fallen halfway down and she was experiencing pain in her genitals.

She went home and told her mother, and they reported the rape to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. Harford Memorial Hospital conducted a forensic examination and secured DNA evidence.

The investigation revealed that the victim had suffered severe and serious injuries. Sheriff’s officials searched Parker’s home and took his DNA.

When arrested on August 6, Parker initially denied any sexual contact with the victim. Parker is being held at the Harford County Detention Center pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.

“We are obviously disappointed with the jury’s verdict,” said John Janowich, Parker’s public defender’s attorney. “We will now focus on the sentencing and appeals phase of this trial.”