BALTIMORE (AP) — A former Maryland Department of Natural Resources employee was indicted on federal child pornography charges resulting from an investigation that began when sexually explicit material was found on his work computer.
Ronald G. Draper Jr., 36, had been charged in Anne Arundel County with storing pornographic images on his work computer. Those charges were dropped Tuesday now that Mr. Draper is facing a federal indictment on six counts of receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography.
According to charging documents from the Anne Arundel case, the investigation of Mr. Draper began when a state employee found a computer file with written descriptions of a sexual encounter between a 33-year-old named Ron and a 12-year-old boy.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Mr. Draper’s personal e-mail account, and state police found more than 100 explicit photos of boys, according to court records.
In November, Mr. Draper was charged in Prince George’s County with sexually assaulting a young male relative more than 10 years ago. He also has been charged in St. Mary’s County with a fourth-degree sex offense that reportedly occurred in June.
Mr. Draper was a clerk in DNR’s resource assessment division from December 1998 through April 2006, according to Natural Resources Police. State officials would not disclose why he left the agency, citing personnel confidentiality.
If convicted, Mr. Draper faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the five counts of receiving or distributing images. Possession of child pornography carries a maximum 10-year sentence and $250,000 fine.
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