PRESS RELEASE

12:00 PM
February 16, 2016

On October 19, 2015 the Knox County Sheriff's Department recieved a report of a sexual exploitation of a child involving a victim in Knox County. Upon investigating the report, indecent communications were discovered through a social media website between the victim and a male subject who was over the age of 18.

After months of diligently investigating the allegations, the Knox County Sheriff's Investigation Division were able to identify a suspect whom resided in Maryland. The suspect was identified as Andre Rudolph Barbins, 45 years of age, of 213 Pelagic Lane, Solomons, Maryland. With the suspect residing out of State, Knox County Investigator contacted the Maryland State Police, Division of Internet Crimes Against Children, and discussed the Knox County case. The case file was sent of to the Maryland State Police.

On February 12, 2016 the Maryland State Police and agents from the Department of Homeland Security executed a search warrant at Barbins residence in Solomons, Maryland. Barbins was located and arrested without incident. As a result of the search warrant, numerous digital media storage devices were seized. These items were found to contain images of child pornography. Barbins confessed to authorities of having contacted the Knox County Illinois juvenile victim as well as several other juveniles committing similar offenses.

Barbins was transported to the Calvert County Detention Center for booking and processing for the offenses of one count of sexual solicitation of a minor and one count of providing obscene material to a minor. Barbins was detained at the time to the Calvert County Detention Center awaiting a hearing by the District Court Commissioner.

This case is an excellent example of cooperation by various law enforcement agencies producing a successful conclusion.





See also: Maryland State Police Press Release