May 31st, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Maryland State Police investigators from the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) arrested a St. Mary’s County man on sexual solicitation related felony charges yesterday.

 

The accused is identified as Joseph Hall, Jr., 31, of the 37000 block of New Market Road in Charlotte Hall, Maryland.  Hall was arrested yesterday at 7:30 a.m. without incident.  He is charged with the sexual solicitation of a law enforcement officer posing as a minor.  Upon conviction, Hall faces up to ten years imprisonment and up to $25,000 in fines.

 

 On Sunday, May 29, 2016, the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted a proactive operation involving the online sexual solicitation of minors.  During the covert operation Hall communicated online with an undercover police officer posing as a minor. He made statements expressing a desire to meet the minor and engage in sexual activity. 

 

On Monday, May 30, 2016, Hall traveled to an undisclosed location in St. Mary’s County for the encounter.  Shortly after 7:30 a.m. during the operation, Hall was arrested without incident and transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention Center for processing. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit and state troopers from the Field Operations Bureau conducted the covert operation.

 

The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is organized under the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Section. The task force is comprised of police agencies from around the state and 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.