February 1st, 2018 by WCBC Radio

(CUMBERLAND, Md.) — An Allegany County man was arrested and charged this morning after a Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation developed evidence supporting charges of possession and distribution of child pornography.

The suspect, Allen Ray Lease, 31, of Cumberland, Md., is charged with six counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of distribution of child pornography. Lease was arrested and is being held without bail at the Allegany County Detention Center.

Between September and October 2017, investigators received multiple downloads of images depicting child pornography from a computer traced to Lease. Today, the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which consisted of the Maryland State Police and Homeland Security Investigations served a search and seizure warrant at the Lease residence.

Forensic examiners conducted reviews of Lease’s electronic devices, which resulted in the discovery of several images and videos of child pornography. Lease was arrested at the scene. 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 funded 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. The investigation is ongoing.