DIRTBAG ROUNDUP!
PLEA DEAL REVEALS: Defendant Also Used an Encrypted Messaging Service to Transmit and Receive Child Pornography, which He Saved on His Electronic Devices
Greenbelt, Maryland – U.S. District Judge George J. Hazel sentenced Derrell Lamar Hooker Orange (“Orange”) age 37, of Brandywine, Maryland, on August 17, 2022, to 19 years in federal prison, followed by 12 years of supervised release, for enticement of a minor to produce child pornography and to possession of child pornography. Judge Hazel also ordered Orange to pay $15,000 in restitution to the victims of the offense. Orange has been detained since his guilty plea on May 13, 2022, after Judge Hazel determined that Orange was a danger to the community.
The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police and Sheriff Michelle Cook of the Clay County, Florida Sherriff’s Office.
“Parents should check their child’s smartphone and remind them that people may not be who they seem,” said U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron. “This could save your child from becoming a victim. Many criminals, like Orange, take advantage of the anonymity of the internet to present themselves as something they’re not and use online messaging services to abuse children.”
“Derrell Lamar Hooker Orange’s crimes are inexcusable,” said Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of HSI Baltimore. “He deceived and victimized three minors, and the cruelty of his actions was reflected in the severity of his prison sentence. Today he will begin to face the consequences of his crimes. HSI Baltimore is proud to have worked with our local law enforcement partners to bring Mr. Orange to justice. HSI Baltimore will continue to work to protect the law-abiding citizens of Maryland from notorious criminal elements like Mr. Orange.”
“The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is committed to doing everything in our power to combat child exploitation,” said Sheriff Michelle Cook. “I am grateful to the dedicated professionals and our law enforcement partners across the country for their tireless work to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of these horrible crimes.”
According to his plea agreement, from at least July 2020 through October 2020, Orange, posing as a 16-year-old boy named “Lamar Thompson,” communicated with Victim 1, a 12-year-old girl living in Florida. Orange admitted that Victim 1 disclosed to him that she was in “junior high.” During their communications, Orange, using the Thompson persona, sent text messages requesting sexually explicit videos from Victim 1, including on August 29, 2020 and October 11, 2020, which Victim 1 then sent to Orange.
On March 16, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Orange’s residence and seized his iPad and iPhone. A forensic review of Orange’s devices revealed images and videos of child pornography, including sexually explicit videos of Victim 1.
As detailed in his plea agreement, Orange also communicated with three other minor victims, Victim 2, Victim 3, and Victim 4, through text messages and a secure communication application. As he did with Victim 1, Orange posed as a 16-year-old boy and requested sexually explicit images and videos from Victim 2, Victim 3, and Victim 4, which the victims sent to him. Based on the forensic analysis of his devices, Orange knew that Victims 3 and 4 were only 11 years old. In addition, on February 16, 2021, Orange sent text messages to Victim 2, who resided in Florida, indicating that he had traveled to her residence. The text messages included a screenshot of a Lyft route to the area of Victim 2’s residence, as well as a video of the apartment complex where Victim 2 lived at that time, with a text stating, “I’m outside.” Victim 2 did not meet Orange.
According to his plea agreement, Orange also participated in numerous chats using a cross-platform messaging service with enhanced encryption to transmit and receive material depicting minors, including prepubescent minors, engaged in sexually explicit conduct. For example, in a chat with another user of the messaging service in March 2021, the other user asked Orange to “Trade.” In response, Orange sent approximately 74 videos depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and received approximately 98 such videos.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.
Maryland State Police Arrest Erlyn Matta Jimenez On Child Pornography Charges in PG County
August 16, 2022
(HYATTSVILLE, MD) – Troopers arrested a Prince George’s County man after a Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Investigation developed evidence of distribution and possession of child pornography.
The suspect is identified as Erlyn Matta Jimenez, 24, of Hyattsville, Maryland. Matta Jimenez is charged with seven counts of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. He was transported to the Prince George’s County Detention Center, where he is being held without bail.
Beginning in July 2022, the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit initiated an investigation into the distribution and possession of child pornography online. At about 9:20 a.m. Friday, Maryland State Police, along with Homeland Security Investigations, served a search warrant at the identified residence of the suspect. A preliminary forensic review of the suspect’s electronic devices revealed multiple child pornography files. Matta Jimenez 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 made possible in part due to grant funds provided by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Victim Services and 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.
Maryland State Police Arrest Two Allegany County Men On Child Pornography Charges
July 8, 2022
(CUMBERLAND, MD)- Troopers arrested two Allegany County men as a result of separate investigations conducted by the Maryland State Police / Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The first suspect is identified as Matthew Loren Sites, 23, of Cumberland, Maryland. Sites is charged with four counts of distribution of child pornography and ten counts of possession of child pornography. He was arrested this afternoon in Allegany County and transported to the Allegany County Detention Center, where he is currently awaiting an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner.
The second suspect is identified as Roger Clayton Abe 3rd, 38, of 631 LEIPER Street, Cumberland, Maryland. Abe is charged with one count of distribution of child pornography and seven counts of possession of child pornography. He was arrested in Allegany County and transported to the Allegany County Jail. Initially held without bond, Abe was later released by District Court Judge H. Jack Price Jr., with no bail required on his personal recognizance on July 11, 2022, pending trial. A trial is set for September 12, 2022.
Police say that both suspects were identified during separate investigations relating to the online distribution of child pornography. Forensic analysis of devices seized from each suspect revealed multiple stored child pornography files. Both suspects were charged, and arrest warrants were issued through the District Court for Allegany County.
MECHANICS WANTED
