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Frederick resident Joel Christensen was arrested in the 6800 block of Running Springs Court this week after investigators were tipped off by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding illicit materials that were being shared by a person in the area.
In January, detectives assigned to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit launched an investigation into Christensen following the tip, which came to its conclusion on Wednesday, May 31.
According to investigators, it was ultimately determined that Christensen had downloaded and distributed multiple files that included video and images depicting “child sexual abuse material (CSAM).”
“NCMEC defines CSAM as the sexual abuse and exploitation of children," officials said.
"Not only do these images and videos document victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when these files are shared across the internet, child victims suffer re-victimization each time the image of their sexual abuse is viewed.”
Christensen was charged with 10 counts each of possession and distribution of child pornography. No information about his initial court appearance has been released.
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