Maryland State Police Arrest Cecil County Man On Child Pornography Charges

North East, MD – A Cecil man was arrested and charged early this morning 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 Estel Henry Cook Jr., 55, of North East, Maryland. He is charged with seven counts of possession of child pornography and four counts of distribution of child pornography. Cook was arrested at his residence today without incident and is currently awaiting to be seen by a Cecil County Court Commissioner.

In May of 2019, the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force began an online investigation for offenders sharing files of child pornography. The Maryland State Police ICAC Task Force conducted an investigation, which led to Cook’s residence.

At about 4:00 a.m. today, the Maryland State Police served a search warrant at the identified residence. A preliminary forensic review of Cook’s electronic devices revealed multiple child pornography files. Cook was arrested at his residence without incident. Maryland State Police North East Barrack and Homeland Security Investigations assisted in this investigation.

The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit coordinates the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Task force investigators focus on identifying those involved in child pornography via the Internet and other related crimes that victimize children.

This task force is a combined law enforcement effort involving police departments across Maryland, 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. The Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention funded this project under sub award #ICAC-2019-0017.