Maryland State Police Arrest Montgomery County Man On Child Pornography Charges

(SILVER SPRING, MD) – Troopers arrested and charged a Montgomery County man early Thursday morning after a Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation developed evidence supporting charges of possession of child pornography.

The suspect is identified as Garrett Ronald Shaffer, 21 of Silver Spring, Maryland. Shaffer is charged with eight counts of distribution of child pornography. He was transported to the Montgomery County Detention Center, where he is being held without bail.

Beginning in August 2021, Homeland Security Investigations conducted an investigation into the distribution of child pornography online. The investigation led to the identification of the suspect and his residence in Montgomery County. At about 6:15 a.m. Thursday morning, Maryland State Police, assisted by Homeland Security Investigations and Montgomery County Police Department, served a search warrant at the identified residence of the suspect. Shaffer 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.

     Garrett Ronald Shaffer

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CONTACT: Office of Media Communication, 410-653-4236 or msp.media@maryland.gov