Bel Air man jailed on child pornography charges

A Harford County man was arrested and charged on August 20 after a Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation developed evidence supporting charges of distribution and possession of child pornography.  The suspect is identified as Christian Shoap, 22, of Bel Air, Maryland. He is charged with four counts of distribution of child pornography and nine counts of possession of child pornography.

Shoap was arrested at his residence without incident and taken to the Maryland State Police Bel Air Barrack for processing.

In June 2019, troopers from the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began an online investigation involving the distribution and possession of child pornography. Investigators obtained media files of child pornography that were being distributed online. Further investigation led to the identification of Shoap as the suspect, and his residence in Harford County.

Around 6 a.m. yesterday, the Maryland State Police served a search warrant Shoap’s home. During the serving of the warrant, a preliminary forensic review of Shoap’s electronic devices revealed multiple child pornography files. The devices were seized and will be analyzed by the Maryland State Police Digital Forensics Laboratory.

 (Source: Maryland State Police)

~ Written by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter