Jesse Alexander Burton-Franklin. (Booking photo, MSP)SOLOMONS, Md. (Oct. 7, 2016)—Maryland State Police investigators arrested a Calvert County man on sexual solicitation related felony charges yesterday. The investigators are from the Maryland Computer Crimes Section, Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The suspect is identified as Jesse Alexander Burton-Franklin, 24, of the 400 block of Dogwood Drive, Lusby. Burton-Franklin was arrested without incident. He is charged with sexual solicitation of a law enforcement officer posing as a minor. Upon conviction, Burton-Franklin faces up to ten years imprisonment and up to $25,000 in fines.
On Sunday, August 7, 2016, the Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted a proactive operation involving the online sexual solicitation of minors. During the covert operation Burton-Franklin communicated online with an undercover police officer posing as a minor. He made statements expressing a desire to meet the minor and engage in sexual activity.
On Thursday, October 6, 2016, Burton-Franklin traveled to an undisclosed location in Calvert County for the encounter. Shortly after 3:30 p.m. during the operation, Burton-Franklin was arrested without incident and transported to the Calvert County Detention Center for processing. Investigators from the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit conducted the covert operation.
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.