Former Dundalk Pastor Cameron Shane Giovanelli Pleads Guilty To Sex Offense, Assault Involving Child
DUNDALK, MD. (WJZ) — Cameron Giovanelli, a former Baptist preacher, was quiet and subdued as he entered guilty pleas to a fourth-degree sex offense and second-degree assault on Wednesday.
According to the statement of facts read aloud in court, the former preacher of Calvary Baptist Church in Dundalk had a months-long sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student at the church's school.
The victim came forward 10 years after the assault and prosecutors moved forward with a 12-count indictment.
Giovanelli will serve 90 days in the Baltimore County Detention Center, five years probation in Florida, where he lives now -- but will not have to register as a sex offender.
He came and left court without looking at the victims or any former members of his congregation. After the guilty pleas, his attorney took him out of another exit.
More than two dozen people came from the church to support the victim, who came forward last year in a blog post detailing her story.
She declined to comment to WJZ after the hearing but will have a chance to read a victim impact statement at Giovanelli's official sentencing next month.
Giovanelli had faced up to 78 years in prison if he was convicted of all 12 counts. With this plea agreement, 10 of those counts will be dropped.