CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ARREST IN WORCESTER COUNTY

(OCEAN CITY, MD) – Members of the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit arrested a registered sex offender in connection with the possession of child pornography.

Lawrence King III, 41, of the 9000 block of Golf Course Road in Ocean City was arrested today and charged with thirteen counts of possessing child pornography. King is on Maryland’s Sex Offender Registry as the result of a conviction received in 2002. If convicted of the current charges, King could be sentenced to up to 65 years in prison.

The investigation into King’s activities began with the Anne Arundel County Police Department upon receiving information that King was in possession of child pornography. Troopers assigned to the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force assisted Anne Arundel County Police with the execution of a search warrant this morning at King’s Ocean City residence.

During the search, investigators located images and videos of children performing various sexual acts. Evidence seized as a result of the search will be examined by the State Police Computer Forensics Laboratory.

King was taken before a Worcester County Court Commissioner and is currently being held without bond. House Bill 1046, signed by Governor Martin O’Malley, went into effect today prohibiting a District Court commissioner from authorizing the pretrial release of a defendant who is a registered sex offender.

The investigation into King’s activities are continuing. Anyone with information that may help police is encouraged to call Maryland State Police Headquarters at 410-653-4200.

The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is comprised of police agencies from around the state. Its primary mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The Task Force works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes. Additionally, the Task Force provides community awareness campaigns helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education.