(GAITHERBURG, MD) – Maryland State Police Computer Crimes investigators have arrested and charged a man in Montgomery County this morning with the possession and distribution of child pornography.
The suspect, Hugo J. Arce, 40, of Hagerstown, Maryland is charged with 15 counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of distribution of child pornography. Subsequent to his arrest at a relative’s residence in Montgomery County, Harris was transported to the Montgomery County Detention Center in Rockville, Maryland for processing.
In September 2019, troopers from the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began an investigation involving the distribution of child pornography. Investigators discovered a person online actively sharing child pornography files. Further investigation led to the identification a residence in Montgomery County.
At about 5:15 a.m. today, the Maryland State Police served a search warrant at the identified residence. During the serving of the warrant, Arce was located in the residence and a preliminary forensic review of his electronic devices revealed the presence of multiple child pornography files. The devices were seized and will be further analyzed by the Maryland State Police Digital Forensics Laboratory. Arce was arrested without incident. Montgomery County Police and Homeland Security Investigations assisted in this investigation.
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 Control and Prevention (GOCCP) and by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. Task force investigators focus on identifying those involved in child pornography via the Internet and other related crimes that victimize children.
CONTACT: Ron Snyder, Office of Media Communications – 410-653-4236
The suspect, Hugo J. Arce, 40, of Hagerstown, Maryland is charged with 15 counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of distribution of child pornography. Subsequent to his arrest at a relative’s residence in Montgomery County, Harris was transported to the Montgomery County Detention Center in Rockville, Maryland for processing.
In September 2019, troopers from the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began an investigation involving the distribution of child pornography. Investigators discovered a person online actively sharing child pornography files. Further investigation led to the identification a residence in Montgomery County.
At about 5:15 a.m. today, the Maryland State Police served a search warrant at the identified residence. During the serving of the warrant, Arce was located in the residence and a preliminary forensic review of his electronic devices revealed the presence of multiple child pornography files. The devices were seized and will be further analyzed by the Maryland State Police Digital Forensics Laboratory. Arce was arrested without incident. Montgomery County Police and Homeland Security Investigations assisted in this investigation.
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 Control and Prevention (GOCCP) and by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. Task force investigators focus on identifying those involved in child pornography via the Internet and other related crimes that victimize children.
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CONTACT: Ron Snyder, Office of Media Communications – 410-653-4236