CECIL COUNTY, Md. — A Cecil County man was arrested after a Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation developed evidence supporting charges of distribution and possession of child pornography.
The suspect is identified as James Sheppard, 23, of Perryville, MD.
Sheppard is charged with four counts of distribution of child pornography, six counts of possession of child pornography and one count of sexual solicitation of a minor. Sheppard was arrested at his home and taken to the Maryland State Police North East Barrack for processing.
In January, the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force received a CyberTip report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children involving the distribution of child pornography online.
The investigation led to the identification of the suspect and his home in Cecil County.
At about 6 a.m. Wednesday, the Maryland State Police, Homeland Security and Investigations and the Perryville Police Department served a search warrant at the identified residence.
A preliminary forensic review of the suspect’s electronic devices revealed multiple child pornography files.
The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit coordinates the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
This is a combined law enforcement effort involving police departments across Maryland that is made possible in part due to grant funds provided by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services and by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
