Ex-cop guilty in child porn case
A former Laurel police officer has admitted that he downloaded and viewed child pornography images and videos.
Edward Schmitt, 38, pleaded guilty in federal court in Baltimore to receiving child pornography. His plea agreement calls for him to serve seven years in prison.
The pornography was uncovered when a Howard County woman reported in February 2010 that Schmitt placed a hidden camera in a 15-year-old girl’s closet. A search warrant was then executed at Schmitt’s Laurel home and authorities found computers with child pornography on them.
Schmitt’s two computers contained 32 photographs and 16 videos of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including sadistic and masochistic conduct, according to court documents.
Arson charge in home fire
A neighbor of a Capitol Heights home that caught fire early Tuesday has been charged with arson.
Maurice McPherson, 28, is accused of intentionally setting the blaze at the home on the 1400 block of Early Oaks Lane at about 4:15 a.m., according to Prince George’s County fire and emergency services. Several people and firefighters suffered minor injuries in the blaze.
He lives one block from the home. McPherson is also accused of setting fire to a front porch on the 1200 block of Farmingdale Avenue.
He is charged with arson, assault, malicious burning and reckless endangerment.
Man charged in D.C. stabbing death
A District man has been charged in the stabbing death of another man in Northwest D.C.
D.C. police said 25-year-old Aaron Adams is charged with second-degree murder while armed in the May 29 slaying of Garrett White.
White, 25, was found wounded on the 5400 block of Georgia Avenue NW at about 3:25 a.m. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
– Emily Babay
