(Westminster City, MD) - Maryland State Police investigators from the Maryland Computer Crimes Section, Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, arrested a Carroll County man on sexual solicitation related felony charges on Tuesday October 11, 2016.
The suspect is identified as Alfredo Padilla Jr., 34, of the unit block of Webster Street, Westminster, MD. Padilla was arrested without incident. He is charged with sexual solicitation of a law enforcement officer posing as a minor. Upon conviction, Padilla faces up to ten years imprisonment and up to $25,000 in fines.
On Saturday, September 24, 2016, the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted a proactive operation involving the online sexual solicitation of minors. During the covert operation Padilla communicated online with an undercover police officer posing as a minor. He made statements expressing a desire to meet the minor and engage in sexual activity.
On Tuesday, October 11, 2016, Padilla traveled to an undisclosed location in Westminster City, MD for the encounter. Shortly after 12:00 p.m. during the operation, Padilla was arrested without incident and transported to the Carrol1 County Detention Center for processing. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit conducted the covert operation.
The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is organized under the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Section. The task force is comprised of police agencies from around the state and its primary mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The Task Force works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes. Additionally, the Task Force provides community awareness campaigns helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education
