Harwood Sex Offender Charged With Distributing Child Porn

HARWOOD, MD – A South Anne Arundel County sex offender was arrested and charged Thursday morning on charges of distribution and possession of child pornography after an investigation by the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

John P. Dillon, 60, of Harwood, a registered sex offender, is charged with two counts of distribution of child pornography, three counts of possession of child pornography, three counts of illegal possession of a firearm and one count of illegal possession of ammunition. He was taken before a court commissioner and is being held without bond at the Anne Arundel County Detention Center, according to a news release from State Police.

In February 2018, the task force received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reporting the distribution of child pornography from an internet address that led investigators to Dillon’s residence.

On Thursday morning, Maryland State Police served a search warrant at Dillon's home, where a preliminary review of his electronic devices showed they contained child pornography files, authorities say. Those devices were seized and will be analyzed further.

During the search, officers reportedly found Dillon illegally possessed multiple firearms and ammunition, which were confiscated. He was arrested at his residence without incident.

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 funded 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.

Photo of John Dillon, courtesy of Maryland State Police