A Maryland Republican lawmaker resigned Friday after authorities seized his personal computer from his Washington County home during an investigation into child pornography.
Washington County Sheriff Douglas Mullendore said deputies searched the Hagerstown home of Del. Robert McKee Jan. 31 and seized several computers, video tapes and printed materials.
McKee, who also resigned as executive director of a mentoring program for youth, called the investigation “deeply embarrassing” and said he is “seeking treatment.”
“My primary focus is to get well and stay well,” McKee wrote in a statement. “I know this can only happen with the support and prayers of my family and friends and the help of professionals.”
FBI Special Agent Richard Wolf said the bureau?s cyber crimes unit is working with Washington County authorities on the investigation. Mullendore, who said there was a child in the home when the search was conducted, said no charges have been filed against McKee. He said he did not know the status of the child now.
McKee, 58, has served in the House of Delegates since 1995 and chairs the Western Maryland delegation of Carroll, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett County lawmakers. This session, McKee is sponsoring bills including the Child Protection from Predators Act, which would eliminate sentence reductions for incarcerated child sex offenders.
Elaine Rose, president of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County mentoring program where McKee worked for 29 years, said in an e-mail the organization will cooperate fully with investigators.
House Minority Leader Anthony J. O?Donnell and Minority Whip Christopher Shank issued a joint statement calling McKee?s resignation “appropriate” and said the Washington County Republican Central Committee will soon nominate a successor to Gov. Martin O?Malley. They said they were “deeply troubled and shocked,” but cautioned against speculation.
“We will refrain from comment from the investigation and allow law enforcement officers to do their job as the legal process moves forward,” they said.
Examiner Staff Writer Len Lazarick contributed to this report.
