Former Maryland State Government Official Pleads Guilty To Child Porn Charges

Images and videos of child pornography can be alluring to many people. It’s a type of porn that they have never seen before. No matter how bad it may look, they can’t seem to look away. They get addicted to it and they want to access it all the time — even while they’re at work.

This was the case for a Maryland man, who even accessed child pornography while at work for the Maryland state government. On March 9, the 44-year-old man pled guilty to child porn distribution. He is accused of distributing a pornographic video and images of at least four girls using his cell phone. The man had accessed the child porn on the server while working as a government official. He had worked at several government positions, including Chief Operating Officer with the Maryland Department of Commerce and Deputy Legislative Officer for the Maryland Governor’s Office.

The investigation began when Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore received reports from an instant messenger application that five accounts with the username “anonjohnny” had uploaded child pornography between April 2019 and September 2019. It was discovered that the same IP address was used to access the accounts. The IP address was serviced by the same cellular service provider used for the man’s e-mail address, phone number and home address. The messaging app account had also been accessed by IP addresses used by the State of Maryland, which meant that the man was accessing child porn materials while at work.

On August 11, 2020, a search warrant was executed at the man’s home in Severna Park. Investigators seized the man’s cell phone and laptop. His cell phone was linked to his office e-mail address and his phone was logged into an “anonjohnny” account on the instant messaging app. The man admitted to using this account to chat with others about child porn.

Investigators found approximately 936 images and 368 videos of child porn on the man’s cell phoneThe images included child porn involving toddlers and prepubescent minors. There were also images showing children engaged in bondage and other sadistic acts. In all

The man also admitted to receiving and distributing child porn. He also used an app on his phone to send encrypted messages. He used that app to distribute a child porn video to a chat group. His phone also contained links to active child porn websites.

The man was arrested and faces a minimum of five years in prison for child porn distribution. He will be required to register as a sex offender. Sentencing has not been scheduled.

Contact a Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Child porn images can be addicting to some people. However, it is illegal and will put your life and liberty at risk.

The Columbia child pornography lawyers at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. will aggressively defend you and the charges that you face. Let us help you win the fight for freedom. schedule a consultation with our office today by filling out the online form or calling (410) 774-5987. We have two offices to serve you.

Resource:

foxbaltimore.com/news/local/former-maryland-government-official-used-work-internet-to-access-child-porn

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