WASHINGTON CO. MAN ARRESTED ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

(Hagerstown, MD) -- The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit arrested Washington County man this morning in connection with the distribution and possession of child pornography.

The accused is identified as Roger A. Repp III, 45, of the 600-block of Westwood Street, Hagerstown, Md. He is charged with two counts each of distribution and possession of child pornography. If convicted, Repp could be sentenced to up to 50 years in prison.

The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Section began this investigation in March of this year after receiving information from a police detective in Canada. The detective had located a computer on the Internet openly distributing child pornography.

A Maryland state trooper assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was assigned the investigation and was able to trace the computer back to Repp’s residence. Early this morning, State Police investigators executed a search warrant at Repp’s home and recovered evidence that led to the charges being filed.

Repp was arrested at his home during the search warrant service. Repp is being held pending an appearance before a Washington County court commissioner for a bond hearing.

The Computer Crimes Section’s primary mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The unit works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes. The unit is also charged with helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education and community awareness.