Maryland State Police Arrest Cecil County Man On Child Pornography Charges

(ELKTON, MD) – A Cecil County man was arrested and charged today after a Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation developed evidence supporting charges of distribution and possession of child pornography and related charges.

The suspect is identified as Parke Reese, 21, of Elkton, Maryland. He is charged with three counts of distribution of child pornography, nine counts of possession of child pornography and one count of visual surveillance with prurient intent. Reese was arrested at his residence without incident. He was taken to the Maryland State Police North East Barrack for processing and later taken before a District Court commissioner. He is being held without bail at the Cecil County Detention Center.

In August 2019, troopers from the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a CyberTip report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children involving an individual distributing child pornography online. The ensuing investigation also revealed that the suspect was surreptitiously recording video footage of a juvenile in a private location. Investigators were able to identify the suspect and his residence in Cecil County.

At about 5:30 a.m. today, the Maryland State Police, along with Homeland Security Investigations served a search warrant at the suspect’s residence. During the serving of the warrant, a preliminary forensic review of the suspect’s electronic devices revealed multiple child pornography files. The devices were seized and will be analyzed by the Maryland State Police Digital Forensics Laboratory. Reese was arrested without incident.

The juvenile seen in the surreptitiously recorded video was identified and the matter is being investigated by Child Protective Services of Cecil County.

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.

Editor’s Note:
This is a Press Release from MD State Police. In the United States, a person is considered innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.