Former Baltimore Assistant State's Attorney Charged with Distributing Child Pornography

NOTTINGHAM, MD — An assistant state's attorney in Baltimore City has been charged with distributing and possessing child pornography in Baltimore County, police said.

Patrick Moran, 39, of the 8900 block of Kilkenney Circle in Nottingham, was found to be the possessor of numerous images and videos of child pornography after police searched his residence at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Baltimore County Police Department.

Authorities said they are conducting a forensic examination of the computers and digital storage devices that were also found at the residence, where they learned Moran was an assistant state's attorney in Baltimore City assigned to the juvenile division.

Baltimore City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby issued a statement Tuesday afternoon indicating that Moran was a "now former employee," calling the allegations "despicable and disheartening" because they "involve our most vulnerable" — children.

There was no evidence indicating that Moran was involved in producing child pornography — the charges were for possessing and distributing it, officials reported.

Police obtained a search-and-seizure warrant for the Perry Hall-area residence after investigating a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about a source sharing child pornography online, officials reported. The tip was received over the summer.

Moran was arrested Tuesday and released on $150,000 bail. He is slated to appear in Baltimore County District Court on Nov. 23 for a preliminary hearing.

Photo of Patrick Moran courtesy of the Baltimore County Police Department