Bel Air Man Arrested by State Police on Child Pornography Charges

From Maryland State Police:

Maryland State Police investigators from the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) arrested a Harford County man on child pornography related charges today.

The accused is identified as James Zornes, 51, of the 300 block of Kenmore Avenue in Bel Air. Zornes is charged with three counts of distributing child pornography and three counts of possession of child pornography. He was transported to Harford County Central Booking where he awaits an appearance before a court commissioner.

As a result of the investigation a search and seizure warrant was executed at Zornes’ residence today. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit, troopers from the Bel Air Barrack, officers from the Bel Air Police Department and agents from the Department of Homeland Security conducted the operation. Execution of the search warrant and a thorough investigation on scene resulted in the seizure of digital evidence. Multiple images of child pornography were discovered by forensic analysts.

In November 2015, a deputy with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office identified Zornes as a possible suspect in an online distribution of child pornography. The case was forwarded to the Maryland State Police for further investigation. Further investigation by state troopers revealed Zornes as the focus of the investigation.

The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children task force is organized under the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Section. The task force is comprised of police agencies from around the state and its primary mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The task force works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes. Additionally, the task force provides community awareness campaigns helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education.