A former Wicomico County instructional aide is now at the center of a major sex-crimes case, indicted this week on 39 sex-related counts tied to allegations that he sexually abused a student while assigned to Parkside High School in the early 2000s.
Forty-four-year-old Russell Lee Camper Jr. was arrested on March 13 and remains jailed without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center. Investigators say the expanded indictment followed work by the Wicomico Child Advocacy Center and sheriff's detectives, who identified additional potential victims as they dug deeper into the case.
Detectives opened the probe on March 12 and quickly sought an arrest warrant. Camper was taken into custody the next day and initially charged with rape, child abuse, sexual abuse of a minor, second-degree assault, and a fourth-degree sexual offense, as reported by WBOC. A district court commissioner saw him and has been held without bond at the county jail while detectives continued to interview witnesses and follow up on new leads.
Indictment adds dozens of counts
A Wicomico County grand jury returned an expanded indictment on April 8 that lists three counts of sexual abuse of a minor and nine counts each of second-degree rape, third-degree sexual offense, fourth-degree sexual offense, and second-degree assault, for a total of 39 counts, according to WMDT. Prosecutors say the additional charges were filed after follow-up interviews identified other possible victims.
Long tenure in county schools
Camper worked for Wicomico County Public Schools for more than two decades and over the years was assigned to several buildings, including Salisbury Middle, Parkside High, and Wicomico High, before later shifts to elementary schools, according to the Salisbury Daily Times. Investigators say his roles included coaching and involvement in music and church programs where young people gathered, which has broadened the scope of the investigation beyond a single campus.
Records and a recorded call
Charging documents and a recorded phone call reviewed by reporters include a transcript in which Camper allegedly admitted to pulling the victim out of class and having sex with her multiple times, including on school property, and in which he told the victim he worked for TidalHealth as a registered behavior technician, according to The Baltimore Sun. Court records list an initial appearance in Wicomico County Circuit Court for April 24.
District response and what’s next
Wicomico County Public Schools said it is aware of the law enforcement investigation and is cooperating with detectives, the district told WMDT. The Wicomico Child Advocacy Center and sheriff's investigators have asked anyone with information to contact Detective Sgt. J. Seichepine at 410-334-6955 or 410-713-3900 as the case moves toward the scheduled court appearance.
All persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
