LEONARDTOWN, MD (June 16, 2026) – State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that Collin Andrew Hixson, 35, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to 30 years in prison with 10 years and 302 days of active incarceration for the sexual abuse of a minor while he was a houseguest in a Mechanicsville home in May 2025.
“The Defendant was welcomed into a family’s home and, in a significant breach of trust, used that opportunity to victimize a child,” said State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling. “This predatory behavior represents a profound violation of a child’s boundaries and sense of safety that exploited both the child and the trust placed in him.”
Hixson was convicted in December 2025 following a one-day bench trial.
The Maryland Sentencing Guidelines recommended a sentence between 7 and 13 years of active incarceration in prison. The State advocated for 17 years above the guidelines range, requesting 35 years in prison with 30 years of active incarceration, to include mandatory lifetime sexual offender supervision and registration for LIFE.
The Court’s sentence:
- Sex abuse of a minor: 25 years in prison, with 10 years of active incarceration; and
- Second-degree assault: 5 years in prison, with 302 days of active incarceration.
The Court imposed 30 years in prison with 10 years and 302 days of active incarceration, lifetime sexual offender registration, and lifetime supervision.
Assistant State’s Attorney Zachary Varda prosecuted the case on behalf of the citizens of St. Mary’s County.
Detective Andrew Burgess and Deputy Austin Edelen of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were the lead investigators.
The Honorable Joseph Stanalonis presided over the case.
