Maryland Man Arrested On Child Pornography Charges

A Maryland man has been arrested on child pornography charges. State Troopers arrested the man after the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force found evidence that the man distributed child pornography. The suspect is identified as a 27-year-old man from Rising Sun, Maryland. He has been charged with 5 counts of distributing child pornography. The defendant was transported to the Cecil County Detention Center, where he is being held without bond.

In March 2024, the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force initiated an investigation into the distribution of child pornography online. The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit and the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations served a search warrant to the defendant’s home. He was promptly arrested.

Child pornography charges in Maryland 

Depending on the nature of the crime and the agency responsible for investigating the matter, child pornography charges can either be filed by the State of Maryland or the federal government. In either case, you can face mandatory minimum sentences, lengthy prison stays, and fines that eclipse six figures. You should consult an experienced defense attorney the moment you become aware that you are being investigated for child pornography-related offenses.

The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigates a number of these types of cases. The task force comprises 35 law enforcement agencies from the State of Maryland, including Maryland State Police’s Computer Crimes Division, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency prevention.

Distribution of child pornography charges in Maryland

Maryland Code Section 11-207 defines the crime of distributing child pornography. Under the statute, one may not knowingly:

• Be involved in soliciting, employing, or allowing a minor to engage in the production of any visual representation that shows a minor engaging in any form of sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse
• Create visual representations of sexual conduct with minors or edit or create such representations
• Possess child pornography with the intent to promote or distribute it

Penalties for a first offense involve a prison term of up to 10 years and a fine of $25,000. Subsequent convictions can bring prison sentences of up to 20 years and a fine of up to $50,000 or both.

To prove distribution, law enforcement officers must establish that you made the illegal pornography available for others to download. Otherwise, they can only prosecute you on possession charges which carry a lighter sentence. The distribution of the pornographic material is considered a more severe felony under the law.

Talk to a Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney Today 

If you are facing charges related to the possession or distribution of child sex abuse material, then you will need an experienced criminal defense attorney to defend you from the charges. Call the Bel Air criminal attorneys at Schlaich & Thompson, Chartered to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your defense immediately.

Source:

news.maryland.gov/msp/2024/07/23/maryland-state-police-arrest-man-on-child-pornography-charges-in-cecil-county-5/