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Undercover Operations

Police & Fire
Ellicott City Father And Baltimore Son Ran Gun-Trafficking Ring, Police Say Ellicott City Father And Baltimore Son Ran Gun-Trafficking Ring, Police Say
Ellicott City Father And Baltimore Son Ran Gun-Trafficking Ring, Police Say Detectives in Maryland say they shut down a father-son firearms trafficking ring that had been operating across the state for months — and uncovered a stash of illegal guns and drugs along the way. According to Howard County Police, investigators first got a tip in July about someone selling firearms throughout the region, prompting a massive investigation.  Undercover officers began making purchases, and during those transactions, police said they learned the seller was getting help from his father. Detectives widened the investigation and uncovered even more.  Officers said th…

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by Zak Failla
News
PA Man Looking For Underage 'Playmate' For 'Ongoing Adventure' Convicted In Virginia: DOJ PA Man Looking For Underage 'Playmate' For 'Ongoing Adventure' Convicted In Virginia: DOJ
PA Man Looking For Underage 'Playmate' For 'Ongoing Adventure' Convicted In Virginia: DOJ A Pennsylvania man is facing life in prison after sending disturbing messages to an undercover officer soliciting a minor in Virginia for sex, authorities announced. Keith Allen Pinkard, 67, of Middletown, faces harsh penalties after pleading guilty this week to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor following a sting operation.  According to court documents, in May, Pinkard sent a private message to another user on social media, unaware that the user was, in fact, an undercover FBI special agent. During that exchange, prosecutors say that Pinkard stated he was seeking "a new pl…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Maryland Man Caught In Undercover Sting Attempting To Solicit Minor Online: State Police Maryland Man Caught In Undercover Sting Attempting To Solicit Minor Online: State Police
Maryland Man Caught In Undercover Sting Attempting To Solicit Minor Online: State Police A Maryland man is facing serious charges after state police say he attempted to meet a 15-year-old boy for sex, only to be caught in an undercover sting operation. Santos Carranza, 47, of Fort Washington, was arrested Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 11, at a shopping center in Beltsville, authorities announced, following an investigation into alleged sexual solicitation.  Maryland State Police say Carranza believed he was meeting a teenage boy he had been chatting with through a smartphone app. Instead, the "teen" was an undercover officer. The investigation began when Carranza allegedly en…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Head Of Prestigious Preschool In DMV Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor: Feds Head Of Prestigious Preschool In DMV Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor: Feds
Head Of Prestigious Preschool In DMV Charged With Coercion, Enticement Of Minor: Feds The head of the National Child Research Center (NCRC) in Northwest DC is facing federal charges for allegedly attempting to coerce and entice a minor, according to federal authorities. James S. Carroll, 55, was arrested on Tuesday following a criminal complaint filed in US District Court in connection with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. Federal authorities allege that between Tuesday, Nov. 5 and Thursday, Nov. 14, Carroll used the Discord messaging platform to communicate with an undercover officer posing as the father of a young child.  During this time, Carroll allege…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Predator Preying On Maryland Teens While Out On Bail Learns Prison Fate: Feds Predator Preying On Maryland Teens While Out On Bail Learns Prison Fate: Feds
Predator Preying On Maryland Teens While Out On Bail Learns Prison Fate: Feds The Maryland man who used multiple phones and online apps to target teens - even while he was out on bail and charges were pending - will spend years in prison for coercing and enticing minors, federal authorities announced. Michael Vance Culpepper, 56, of Walkersville, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after being busted by an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl online, and then doubling down after being released by a judge. He had faced life in prison. According to his guilty plea, in April and May 2023, Culpepper used cellphones and online applications to "persuade…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Predator Preying On Maryland Teens While Out On Bail Facing Life In Prison: Feds Predator Preying On Maryland Teens While Out On Bail Facing Life In Prison: Feds
Predator Preying On Maryland Teens While Out On Bail Facing Life In Prison: Feds A Maryland man who used multiple phones and online apps to target teens - including while he was out on bail and charges were pending - admitted to coercing and enticing minors, federal authorities announced. Michael Vance Culpepper, 56, of Walkersville, is facing life in prison after being busted by an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl online, then doubling down. According to his guilty plea, in April and May 2023, Culpepper used mobile phones and online applications to persuade, induce, entice and coerce two victims whom he believed to be 13- and 14-year-old to engage in sex…

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by Zak Failla
News
Man Accused Of Heading From Maryland To DC For Sex With 6-Year-Old: Feds Man Accused Of Heading From Maryland To DC For Sex With 6-Year-Old: Feds
Man Accused Of Heading From Maryland To DC For Sex With 6-Year-Old: Feds A Maryland man who went out of state with the intention of sexually abusing a 6-year-old child has been indicted on federal charges, authorities announced. Bowie resident Nathaniel Lamar Nelson Scott, 35, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Wednesday charging him with traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct after traveling to DC with the purpose of engaging in illegal activity with the child. In late May, a member of the Metropolitan Police Department FBI Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force posted a message on a website that is frequented …

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by Zak Failla