LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A St. Mary’s County grand jury has indicted 71-year-old Jimmy Arnold Mendenhall of Lexington Park on multiple felony charges related to the alleged sexual abuse of two minors between the mid-1990s and early 2000s.
According to court records, Mendenhall is accused of repeatedly abusing two children known to him over several years. The indictment includes charges of child sexual abuse by a family member, third- and fourth-degree sex offenses involving minors under the age of 14, and continuing sexual abuse of a minor — a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Prosecutors allege that the abuse occurred inside a private residence in Lexington Park. Because of the victims’ young ages and the extended time frame, exact dates of the incidents could not be determined.
The indictment outlines five main counts: two counts of child sexual abuse by a family member, two third-degree sex offenses involving separate victims, one count of fourth-degree sex offense, and one charge of continuing sexual abuse of a minor — indicating a pattern of abuse over at least 90 days.
Mendenhall was arrested on June 3 following an arrest warrant signed by Judge Joseph Michael Stanalonis. He appeared for a bond review on June 4, with Judge Stanalonis again presiding. The case remains open, with Mendenhall currently awaiting trial.
Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Maryam Zhuravitsky is leading the prosecution. Pretrial proceedings are expected to continue into the fall, with jury selection set for October 14, 2025, before Judge Amy Lorenzini in Circuit Court.
To protect the privacy of the victims, their identities are being withheld.
