Maryland police arrest Indian-origin man on child pornography charges

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The Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force said it had arrested a Harford County man (of Indian origin) May 22, after its investigation developed evidence supporting charges of possession of child pornography.

The suspect is identified as Sandeep M. Patel, 29, of Belcamp, Maryland, the police said in a press release.  He is charged with eight counts of possession of child pornography.

Patel was arrested at his residence without incident and taken to the Maryland State Police Bel Air Barrack for processing, according to the press release posted on the Maryland State Police website, where police have also posted his photo.

According to information provided in the press release, in February 2019, detectives from the Baltimore County Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began an online investigation involving the possession of child pornography. Detectives discovered a person online actively pursuing the receipt of child pornography files, and further investigations led to the identification of the suspect and his residence in Harford County, according to the press release.

In April 2019, the case was transferred to an investigator assigned to the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

At about 6 a.m. on May 22, the Maryland State Police, assisted by Homeland Security Investigations, served a search warrant at the identified residence. During the serving of the warrant, police say, a preliminary forensic review of Patel’s electronic devices revealed multiple child pornography files. The devices were seized and will be analyzed by the Maryland State Police Digital Forensics Laboratory, the press release said.