West OC Murderer Charged With Sex Assault Of Niece

SNOW HILL – Just hours after being sentenced to life in prison, convicted murderer Roberto Antonio Murillo, was served with a battery of new charges alleging sexual assault and abuse on his 16-year-old niece over a two-year period.

On Monday morning, Worcester County Circuit Court Judge Theodore Eschenberg sentenced Murillo, 29, a Honduran native living illegally in West Ocean City, to life in prison for the stabbing death of popular local woman Cecilia Dea Parker, 56, of West Ocean City in her residence in the Mystic Harbor community in April. On Monday afternoon, Murillo was formally charged with sexually and physically abusing his niece in the Mystic Harbor residence owned by her parents, and his brother, dating back to October 2006.

The charges stem from an interview with the alleged victim conducted by a Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) detective and a county social worker on Dec. 31, just days before Murillo’s sentencing hearing on Monday. In the interview, the victim told investigators the first incident happened in October 2006 when Murillo allegedly pulled the girl onto his lap and attempted to kiss her and put his hand inside her pants.

According to the victim, a similar incident occurred in August 2007 when Murillo also sexually assaulted her. In that incident, the victim told investigators she was able to thwart his advances.

Finally, in March 2008, another alleged incident occurred just one month before the murder that perhaps foreshadowed the terrible incident that had yet occurred. According to the victim, on March 1, Murillo knocked on her bedroom door, and when she opened it, he pushed her to the floor and placed his hand over her mouth. When the victim struggled, Murillo allegedly placed a knife to her throat and said he “would kill her” if she continued to make noise. According to police reports, the victim’s parents then came in the room at which time Murillo hid in a closet while the victim fled the room.

Based on the victim’s testimony, Murillo was formerly charged on Monday afternoon with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and attempted child abuse. The first-degree assault charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years, while second-degree assault carries a 10-year maximum sentence. Attempted child abuse carries a maximum sentence of 15 years, while reckless endangerment carries a five-year maximum sentence.