WICOMICO – April 9, 2024
In November of 2023, the Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center began an investigation into Jessie Lee Scott and Major Leslie Purnell Sr. regarding the sexual abuse of a minor child. The investigation revealed that Scott and Purnell sexually abused the child several years prior. On February 26, 2024, the investigative findings were presented to a Grand Jury in Wicomico County, at which time both subjects were charged with the following crimes:
Rape 1st and 2nd degree, sexual abuse of a minor, multiple sexual offenses, sexual solicitation of a minor, indecent exposure and assault.
The investigation revealed an additional victim of sexual abuse. This victim identified the person who abused him as Alonzo Leon Parker Jr. This investigation culminated with the arrest of Parker Jr. on April 4, 2024 on the following crimes:
Child abuse: custodian, multiple counts of 3rd degree sexual offense, multiple counts of 4th degree sexual offense, multiple counts of 2nd degree assault, perverted practice, and sodomy.
Both Scott and Purnell continue to be held at the Wicomico County Detention Center. Parker has been released after posting a $25,000 bond set by a District Court Judge.
The investigation revealed that all three Defendants were affiliated for several years with “New Dimension Family Ministries” located at 1907 Jersey Road Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland, and in that capacity, they routinely had access to minor children.
Anyone with information that may be related to this investigation, or other potential crimes, is asked to contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigative Division at 410-548-4898.
All Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
