PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — A Prince George’s County firefighter has been arrested after investigators say he used his fire station’s Wi-Fi to upload child pornography.
Charging documents identify the suspect as Joshua Edmund Murphy, 35, of Brunswick, according to WJLA.
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The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted authorities to an upload of child sexual abuse material to the platform KiK, according to charging documents. Investigators traced the upload to an internet account registered to the Chillum firehouse and to a phone belonging to Murphy.
Murphy was confronted and arrested at the firehouse last week, according to charging documents. Investigators said Murphy admitted to having additional images on his phone.
Murphy, who was promoted to lieutenant in the Prince George’s County Fire Department in July, has been removed from active duty and is not responding to emergency calls, a county source confirmed to WJLA.
A Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department spokesperson said the department is aware of the ongoing investigation and is fully cooperating with authorities.
The Prince George’s County Police Department said Murphy faces multiple counts of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Murphy made his first court appearance on Oct. 27 and has been ordered to be held without bond, according to WJLA.
