DC Man Charged With Solicitation Of Minor, Prostitution

ODENTON, MD — Anne Arundel County Police have charged a Washington, D.C., man with sex offenses after he reportedly solicited a girl using the Facebook Messenger app. The girl's mother contacted police Feb. 6 to report she found her underage daughter had been communicating with a man via the app. Detectives from the Anne Arundel County Child Abuse Unit began an investigation into the communications.

A detective assumed the identity of a girl online and the suspect — later identified as Leon Richard Harrison, 55, of the 900 block of K Street NE in Washington, D.C. — allegedly solicited sexual acts in exchange for money. Police say Harrison arranged to meet the girl about 9 p.m. on Feb. 7 at a fast food restaurant in the 1100 block of Annapolis Road in Odenton. Detectives took him into custody without incident and charged Harrison with sexual solicitation of a minor and prostitution.

Investigators urge any other victims or anyone with information on this incident to call the Anne Arundel County Child Abuse Unit at 410-222-4733. You can remain anonymous by calling the Anne Arundel County Tip Line at 410-222-4700 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

Photo of Leon Harrison, courtesy of Anne Arundel County Police