WASHINGTON — A United States Capitol Police officer is facing charges after investigators say he was in possession of child pornography.
According to Maryland State Police, 42-year-old Jared M. Lemon has been charged with five counts of possession of child pornography. He was arrested outside his Maryland home just before 5 a.m. Monday.
The United States Capitol Police says the department learned of the accusations against Lemon in December 2022 and immediately revoked his police powers while MSP investigated. Lemon was then reassigned to administrative duties with no interaction with the public.
In December 2022, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force also received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that someone had uploaded suspected child pornography, that suspect was later identified as Lemon.
The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit and troopers from the Prince Frederick Barrack and Homeland Security Investigations served a search warrant at Lemon’s home that same month. His electronic devices were taken for a forensic analysis, which officials claim revealed evidence of possession of child pornography.
Maryland State Police continue to investigate and the U.S. Capitol Police's Office of Professional Responsibility will start an administrative investigation after the conclusion of the criminal case.
Lemon has been with USCP since 2005 and served with the Uniformed Services Bureau. The agency has suspended him pending the outcome of the criminal case. He is currently being held without bond at the Calvert County Detention Center.
Detectives are trying to determine if the man had any suspicious interactions with residents who thought he was a legitimate sworn officer. Click here to watch and subscribe to the WUSA9 YouTube channel.