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Maryland State Police interrogation in my home

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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...
 


quincy

Senior 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...
The detective can come back with a warrant to seize and search your computer. If this happens, I recommend you hire an attorney.

You might want to discuss your online activities with your wife so she is not surprised if a warrant is issued and you are arrested and charged with solicitation of a minor and/or possession of child pornography.

Exercise your right to remain silent. You do not have to answer any questions posed by the detective. You do not have to help the detective build his case against you. Refer all questions to your attorney and view the following "Don't Talk to the Police" video from the Regent University School of Law: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d-7o9xYp7eE
 

doucar

Junior Member
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?

1. There is a good chance he was misinforming you (lying) about closing the case.
2. You won't
3. You will be arrested.
4. Generally, yes a detective can close a case, if he is the only one involved. If a prosecutor is already involved,, he can't.
5. He didn't have to.
 

adjusterjack

Senior Member
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.
Watch these two videos and find out why you made the biggest mistake of your life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GjCJ6Xqjg0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FENubmZGj8

And buy the book.
 

xylene

Senior Member
Do you know this was a really a policeman and not a PI or something connected to your marriage?

I find this:

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).
difficult to believe unless you are under heavy surveillance or your wife is involved.
 

thrndmone88

Junior Member
Thank you

Thank you for the assistance. Not as reassuring as I hoped, but there was a lot of good information.

I will be sure to watch those videos tonight. Also, is anyone returns to seize my computer I will not say anything until I have an attorney.

I honestly hope, he is just closing the case.

Regarding the question about the PI, the title I said he was in my original post was his actual title I read from his business card. He also showed me his badge. His business card also said “Master Trooper”... not sure if that is of any significance.
 

quincy

Senior Member
Thank you for the assistance. Not as reassuring as I hoped, but there was a lot of good information.

I will be sure to watch those videos tonight. Also, is anyone returns to seize my computer I will not say anything until I have an attorney.

I honestly hope, he is just closing the case.

Regarding the question about the PI, the title I said he was in my original post was his actual title I read from his business card. He also showed me his badge. His business card also said “Master Trooper”... not sure if that is of any significance.
A "master trooper" has served as a Maryland State Police officer for at least 15 years. You had an experienced officer questioning you.

Good luck.
 

xylene

Senior Member
I didn't ask what you typed, I asked if you were sure.

Cl leary they have a detail watching you and you are bring investigated seriously.
 

quincy

Senior Member
I didn't ask what you typed, I asked if you were sure.

Cl leary they have a detail watching you and you are bring investigated seriously.
I agree that the visit by the officer is clearly part of an investigation that has been ongoing for some time. Thrndmone88 has good reason to worry if pictures of minors were traced to his computer from his Facebook account.

I suspect he will need an attorney sooner rather than later. What he already said to the officer is problematic.
 

thrndmone88

Junior Member
Update

It’s been about two weeks since this happened. I was not arrested, there was no search warrant issued, no calls from anyone regarding the case, and no visits from any detective(s) or officers.

Do you think the detective was being serious about closing this case?

I don’t necessarily want to “poke the bear” so to speak, but do you think having a lawyer check into the case status for me would cause any issues or suspicions? I don’t want to have a lawyer asking questions about something that may have been previously closed, and in turn make them think about re-visiting the case going forward.

I was thinking about sticking to my military “no news is good news” strategy.... but with me having a particular level of clearance for my job, I don’t want to risk having any issues that may affect the status of my clearance in the future.

Thanks!
 

quincy

Senior Member
It’s been about two weeks since this happened. I was not arrested, there was no search warrant issued, no calls from anyone regarding the case, and no visits from any detective(s) or officers.

Do you think the detective was being serious about closing this case?

I don’t necessarily want to “poke the bear” so to speak, but do you think having a lawyer check into the case status for me would cause any issues or suspicions? I don’t want to have a lawyer asking questions about something that may have been previously closed, and in turn make them think about re-visiting the case going forward.

I was thinking about sticking to my military “no news is good news” strategy.... but with me having a particular level of clearance for my job, I don’t want to risk having any issues that may affect the status of my clearance in the future.

Thanks!
There is no way for any of us to know if the detective was "serious" when he told you the investigation was closed.

If you are curious about the status of the case, you can have an attorney look into it for you - or you can stop worrying about it until you are given reason to worry. There is little you can do to change the status either way.

Thanks for the update. Good luck.
 
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.
Why would a police officer care about your watching legal adult porn and your relationship with your wife?
 

quincy

Senior Member
Why would a police officer care about your watching legal adult porn and your relationship with your wife?
The police officer probably wouldn't. ;)

It is possible that the pornography videos viewed by thrndmone were infringed copies, though. Copyright holders are known to track their videos. So while watching adult porn might be legal, the copies watched might not be legal.

The police are generally not involved in copyright infringement cases unless the infringement is extensive, however. Here it sounds as if the police are investigating child pornography.

I think thrndmone will eventually need an attorney. I see a good possibility of his computer being seized and searched. But there is nothing he can do at this point to prevent that.
 

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