Members of the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit today arrested a Prince George’s County man in connection with the distribution and possession of child pornography.

 The accused is identified as Paul M. Dodson, 34, of Jaywick Avenue in Fort Washington.  He is charged with eight counts of distributing child pornography, four counts of possessing child pornography, and one count of possessing marijuana.  If convicted on all counts, Dodson could be sentenced to up to 85 years in prison and/or $211,000 in fines.

 Dodson turned himself in to investigators near 1 p.m. Thursday. He was being processed at the Forestville Barrack and will be taken before a District Court Commissioner for a bond hearing later tonight.

 Troopers assigned to the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force began the investigation in early 2007 when investigators located images of child pornography that were being traded on the Internet. 

 The activity was traced back to Dodson’s residence where a search warrant was served and several computers were seized.  A small amount of marijuana was also seized from Dodson’s residence.  Forensic analysis of the computers revealed more than 75 videos of suspected child pornography, including the images discovered during the investigation.

 The primary mission of the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation.  The unit works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes.  The unit is also charged with helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education and community awareness.