A former Maryland state delegate pleaded guilty Friday to possessing child pornography — including images of the sexual abuse of prepubescent minors — and could serve more than three years in jail under an agreement with prosecutors.
Robert Alan McKee, who appeared in federal court for the first time since agents raided his Hagerstown home Jan. 31, obtained child porn going back to at least 2004 through the Internet and mail order service, prosecutors said. He printed images and “stories” describing sex acts between young boys and other young boys or adult men.
Under a plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of 37 to 41 months in prison, followed by a a lifetime of supervised release and registration as a sex offender. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 21.
McKee quietly but calmly offered responses to questions from U.S. District Court Judge William Quarles. He was released from custody to a third party, but through his attorney, Timothy Maloney, McKee asked for permission to attend religious services and care for his ailing 85-year-old mother.
He declined comment after the brief proceedings.
Asst. U.S. attorney Bonnie Greenberg said agents acted on a tip from a female resident of McKee’s house who provided a Washington County deputy sheriff with computer printer pages containing the images. McKee, who is not married, is the legal guardian of a teenage girl who other lawmakers refer to as his “adopted granddaughter.”
A 59-year-old Republican, McKee resigned from office earlier this year. He also resigned from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Washington County, where he served as executive director since 1978.
Maloney said McKee has received “care” since the raid.
A member of the House of Delegates since 1994, McKee chaired the Western Maryland delegation of lawmakers from Carroll, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties. Earlier this year, he sponsored the Child Protection From Predators Act, which would eliminate sentence reductions for incarcerated child sex offenders.
