Commonwealth v. Roger Leon Saunders Jr.; Over 21 Years to Serve for Two Years of Sexual Abuse of Child

​Virginia Beach, Va. – Colin D. Stolle, Commonwealth's Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach, announced that Roger Leon Saunders Jr., age 47, pled guilty and was sentenced today for charges of Object Sexual Penetration – Victim Under age 13 (2 counts) and Aggravated Sexual Battery – Victim Under age 13. Circuit Court Judge Kevin M. Duffan sentenced Saunders to seventy (70) years in prison, with 48 years and five (5) months suspended, leaving 21 years and seven (7) months to serve. This sentence was the maximum allowed under the terms of the plea agreement and was at the high-end of the Virginia State Sentencing Guidelines.

Had this matter gone to trial, the Commonwealth's evidence would have proven that between June 1, 2012, and June 30, 2014, Roger Leon Saunders Jr. sexually abused a child known to him on several occasions. When police interviewed Saunders in reference to the sexual abuse, he initially stated that he was teaching the child about parts of the body. Eventually, he admitted to committing various acts of sexual abuse against the victim for two years at least twice per month.

Saunders has prior convictions for Robbery and the Use of a Felony.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Megan M. Lang prosecuted this case. Please contact Macie Allen if additional information is desired.

###