Maryland State Police arrested and charged a Montgomery County man Thursday after investigators presented evidence supporting charges of possession of child pornography.
The findings developed by a Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation led to the arrest of Garret Ronald Shaffer, 21, of Silver Spring. Shaffer faces eight counts of distribution of child pornography, according to a press release.
Since August 2021, Homeland Security Investigations led an investigation into the distribution of child pornography online. Over the course of the investigation, officials identified the suspect and tracked him to his residence in Montgomery County.
At approximately 6:15 a.m. Thursday morning, Maryland State Police served a search warrant at Shaffer’s residence. The police agency was assisted by Homeland Security Investigations and Montgomery County Police Department. Shaffer was taken into police custody at the scene and is being held without bail at the Montgomery County Detention Center.
The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit leads the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The task force works to identify suspects involved in child pornography on the internet and other related crimes that victimize children.
