thrndmone88
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?
State: Maryland
Backstory:
A Maryland State Police Detective from the Criminal Enforcement Division came to my house one afternoon to interview me. I invited him and and before talking about the case, he read me my Miranda rights. He also provided a paper and asked if I would like a lawyer or if I would like to waive them for now. With nothing to hide, I waived my rights. He started the interrogation.
He started by saying that this was a case involving (insert Minor's name here) and some explicit photos that started about 2 years ago (2016). As she was under age at that time, this would be considered child pornography as well as solicitation of a minor. He informed me of the punishments that those charges could entail should I be found guilty. I had no idea who she was, so I honestly said that I don't know her at all.
He asked if I had a Facebook account (which I do) and if I exchange pictures with any girls on there (which I occasionally do). He asked their names. I provided their names. He asked to know how I know they are over 18. I said I was 99% certain they are because:
1. They told me they were (does not matter at all).
2. They were both married (1 still married, 1 now divorced)
3. One of them has two kids (oldest child is around 11/12)
He then asked, if I watch porn online. I told him I do. He asked if it was child porn. I told him no Sir. He asked which sites I visit. I provided him with the two sites that I do visit. I informed him that I watch it quite often.
He asked how long I was living in this house. I told him. (It was about 3 years)
As I myself am married, I asked if my wife will find out about any of this. He informed me that most likely she will not. He said that he decided to come when her car was not in our driveway so she will not know of anything we speak of (which I appreciated). He did mention, that I should think about (at some point in our lives) tell her of this.
Lastly, he said that an IP address from the Facebook account that these pictures were exchanged on was traced to my house. I (again) stated that I did not know who she was. (I did not mention to him that I had an open WiFi connection for the first year I was living there which was around the time this "crime" was committed... that was probably a good piece of information).
I asked to know how things proceed from here. The detective stated that he will probably just close this case when he gets back. He stressed the importance of self control for myself regarding the porn. He said if I love my wife, then I'll stop watching porn. If needed, I can talk to a doctor or a priest to assist going forward.
He thanked me for my time and left.
My questions:
1. Is there any chance he was lying when he stated he was closing the case? Or do you believe he was being honest? To me, it felt more of like "I'll let this one slide as long as you fix yourself" talk versus an "I'm going to put your ass away for years" talk.
2. When/if he closes the case, how will I know?
3. If he chooses to proceed and a warrant is put out, how will I know?
4. Can a detective just close a case like this? Or is it up to the prosecutor? (I'm not even sure how this was started. Complaint by the minor, complaint by the parents, randomly intercepted messages, etc)
5. Why did he not give me any details outside of a name and my IP address?
Any reassurance and/or advice would be appreciated. I'm losing sleep over this, as well as my appetite. I'm incredibly stressed which is affecting work performance, and my home life. It almost feels like I'm a bad day away from a terrible anxiety attack (being prior service and seeing what I've seen, that's saying a lot). Being questioned as a suspect in a criminal investigation will definitely strike the fear of god into anyone (innocent or guilty).
Lastly, please leave any negative comments about me exchanging pictures behind my wife's back out of this. I have since deleted that email/facebook account and I'm no longer in contact with those two women. I have also gotten rid of social media almost altogether. I'm trying my best here...
State: Maryland
Backstory:
A Maryland State Police Detective from the Criminal Enforcement Division came to my house one afternoon to interview me. I invited him and and before talking about the case, he read me my Miranda rights. He also provided a paper and asked if I would like a lawyer or if I would like to waive them for now. With nothing to hide, I waived my rights. He started the interrogation.
He started by saying that this was a case involving (insert Minor's name here) and some explicit photos that started about 2 years ago (2016). As she was under age at that time, this would be considered child pornography as well as solicitation of a minor. He informed me of the punishments that those charges could entail should I be found guilty. I had no idea who she was, so I honestly said that I don't know her at all.
He asked if I had a Facebook account (which I do) and if I exchange pictures with any girls on there (which I occasionally do). He asked their names. I provided their names. He asked to know how I know they are over 18. I said I was 99% certain they are because:
1. They told me they were (does not matter at all).
2. They were both married (1 still married, 1 now divorced)
3. One of them has two kids (oldest child is around 11/12)
He then asked, if I watch porn online. I told him I do. He asked if it was child porn. I told him no Sir. He asked which sites I visit. I provided him with the two sites that I do visit. I informed him that I watch it quite often.
He asked how long I was living in this house. I told him. (It was about 3 years)
As I myself am married, I asked if my wife will find out about any of this. He informed me that most likely she will not. He said that he decided to come when her car was not in our driveway so she will not know of anything we speak of (which I appreciated). He did mention, that I should think about (at some point in our lives) tell her of this.
Lastly, he said that an IP address from the Facebook account that these pictures were exchanged on was traced to my house. I (again) stated that I did not know who she was. (I did not mention to him that I had an open WiFi connection for the first year I was living there which was around the time this "crime" was committed... that was probably a good piece of information).
I asked to know how things proceed from here. The detective stated that he will probably just close this case when he gets back. He stressed the importance of self control for myself regarding the porn. He said if I love my wife, then I'll stop watching porn. If needed, I can talk to a doctor or a priest to assist going forward.
He thanked me for my time and left.
My questions:
1. Is there any chance he was lying when he stated he was closing the case? Or do you believe he was being honest? To me, it felt more of like "I'll let this one slide as long as you fix yourself" talk versus an "I'm going to put your ass away for years" talk.
2. When/if he closes the case, how will I know?
3. If he chooses to proceed and a warrant is put out, how will I know?
4. Can a detective just close a case like this? Or is it up to the prosecutor? (I'm not even sure how this was started. Complaint by the minor, complaint by the parents, randomly intercepted messages, etc)
5. Why did he not give me any details outside of a name and my IP address?
Any reassurance and/or advice would be appreciated. I'm losing sleep over this, as well as my appetite. I'm incredibly stressed which is affecting work performance, and my home life. It almost feels like I'm a bad day away from a terrible anxiety attack (being prior service and seeing what I've seen, that's saying a lot). Being questioned as a suspect in a criminal investigation will definitely strike the fear of god into anyone (innocent or guilty).
Lastly, please leave any negative comments about me exchanging pictures behind my wife's back out of this. I have since deleted that email/facebook account and I'm no longer in contact with those two women. I have also gotten rid of social media almost altogether. I'm trying my best here...