COURT NEWS: Maryland State Police Sgt. Christopher Black was jailed on child porn charges after a search revealed images on his computers.
NORTH EAST, MD) – Maryland State Police computer crimes investigators have charged a Cecil County man, employed as a state trooper, with the possession of child pornography.
The suspect is identified as Christopher James Black Sr., 48 (DOB 04/24/1975) of Elkton, Md. He is charged with six counts of possession of child pornography. After consultation with the Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office, an arrest warrant was issued for Black. He was arrested by Maryland State Police this morning without incident, processed at the North East Barrack, and taken before a District Court commissioner for a bond hearing.
Black is employed as a Sergeant and assigned to the North East Barrack. He is a 21-and-a-half-year veteran of the Department. Black’s police powers have been suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.
The investigation began on April 6, 2023 when the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that an online user, later identified as Black, had uploaded an image of possible child pornography/obscene image. On June 16, 2023, members of the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit executed an authorized search of Black’s residence. Investigators subsequently located a personal computer which was seized for forensic analysis. The analysis revealed evidence of possession of child pornography.
Court records show that Maryland State Police Detective T. Cooke brought multiple charges against Sgt. Black.
Court records for Maryland show that Sgt. Black was ordered held without bond in the Cecil County Jail by District Court Commissioner Laura Cheezum on July 7, 2023, pending a court appearance on August 11, 2023, in Cecil County District Court.
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.
The LinkedIn page of Sgt. Christopher Black featured this background information:
2nd generation trooper after my father Sgt. James Black Jr.
Began law enforcement career in November 1995 as a Police Communication Officer with the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office. Became a Deputy Sheriff with the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office in October 1997. Selected to be a Maryland State Trooper in January 2002 and attended the Maryland State Police Training Academy in Pikesville, Class 118. Assigned to the North East Barrack from June 2002 to December 2005. Transferred to the Salisbury Barrack in December 2004. From there, I was transferred to the Drug Enforcement Division in February 2008. The assignment includes Talbot, Worcester, and Dorchester County. Promoted to Corporal in July 2008. Received a Unit citation for drug investigations in Dorchester County in 2011. Promoted to Sergeant in October 2012 and assigned to the College Park Barrack. Selected as the barrack CID Sergeant in April 2014. Received the honor of being selected at the College Park Barrack NCO of the year in 2014.
