Mark Rice Busted With Child Porn In Maryland Learns Fate

According to federal authorities, Mark Rice was caught in possession of hundreds of child porn files after attempting to deceive investigators in Maryland.

Hundreds of files exposed the Maryland man’s attempt to conceal the child porn.

He will now be imprisoned for decades to reflect on his deeds.

The Elkton resident was convicted of several crimes after a protracted investigation into a Reddit CyberTip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in April 2023, authorities said earlier this year.

Rice specifically entered a guilty plea to federal counts of producing and disseminating content related to child sexual assault.

Rice, now 38, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release, officials said Thursday, June 26.

Prosecutors claim that an IP address connected to Rice’s Elkton home was the source of a tip that NCMEC received regarding the distribution of content on Reddit that depicted child sexual abuse.

According to his plea deal, Rice created photographic proof of the abuse and exploited his position of power to sexually abuse a minor starting when she was under three years old. He also used covert photography to take advantage of a second minor.

According to US Attorney Kelly Hayes, Rice is a dangerous predator who will be barred from harming any other children for a considerable amount of time. The seriousness of taking advantage of the weakest members of our societies is reflected in this sentence.

“We’re dedicated to collaborating with our law enforcement partners to bring serious charges against individuals who engage in networks that support child exploitation and sexually assault children.

Rice refuted the charge in a state police interview, although he was seen erasing pictures from his phone.

Officials claim investigators found evidence of child sexual abuse in a thumbnail photograph on Rice’s phone when he showed them.

Authorities discovered further material in his previously erased folder after conducting a more thorough check.

According to officials, detectives discovered over 600 photographs of child sexual assault on Rice’s devices, including two that depicted Rice sexually abusing a kid as young as three years old.

Investigators also discovered that Rice connected with members of a public Reddit group and exchanged encrypted messaging platforms with them about child sexual abuse.

Special Agent in Charge Michael McCarthy said, “This sentencing is a powerful reminder that those who exploit and abuse children will be relentlessly pursued and held accountable.”

Predators who produce and disseminate content that depicts child sexual abuse have no place in society.

“These crimes destroy lives, and HSI will never falter in our resolve to hold those responsible for these heinous crimes accountable in order to bring justice to the victims. To guarantee the most severe legal repercussions, we will keep collaborating with our partners.

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