A former Ocean City Police officer and a second individual were arrested on child pornography charges in Worcester County on Monday, Maryland State Police said.
The suspects are identified as Charles Thomas Zukas, 60, and Jodie Veter Orr, 25, both of Berlin. Zukas is charged with 20 counts of possession of child pornography. Orr is charged with 33 counts of possession of child pornography, state police said in a release.
Both surrendered themselves Monday morning to the Maryland State Police Berlin Barrack, where they are being held pending an initial appearance in front of a District Court Commissioner.
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Zukas was employed by the Ocean City Police Department as a police officer from Sep. 1994 until he retired in June of 2014. Zukas went on to be a Reserve Police Officer with the Ocean City Police Department after his retirement until March of 2022, according to an Ocean City police release.
The Maryland State Police is handling the investigation.
Beginning in March 2022, the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division Eastern Region initiated an investigation into possession of child pornography. On March 16, 2022, troopers served a search warrant at the identified residence of the suspects. A preliminary forensic review of the suspects’ electronic devices revealed multiple child pornography files.
In a statement, the Ocean City Police Department said they “take this matter seriously and will assist Maryland State Police as needed.”
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