DC Police Officer Arrested on Serious Charges
A long-serving officer from the Washington, D.C. police force has been taken into custody on allegations of sending alarming messages to someone he believed to be a 15-year-old boy.
Lieutenant Matthew Mahr, aged 47, was arrested in Harford County, Maryland, facing charges that include sexual solicitation of a minor and two counts of soliciting child pornography. Following his arrest, he was placed on administrative leave by the D.C. Metro Police Department.
“It’s really a terrible tragedy when you consider the impact this has on young people,” a concerned spokesperson remarked.
Before becoming chairman of the Fraternal Order and Labor Committee of Police in 2016, Mahr was the director of the police department’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit.
Prosecutors allege that Mahr engaged in inappropriate conversations with someone he believed to be a male teenager, after connecting in a Reddit thread titled ‘r/GayYoungOldDating’.
The indictment states that Mahr repeatedly acknowledged the age of the other person during their chats. Over the course of about a month, he is said to have sent explicit messages and images while, strangely, acknowledging his role as a police officer and the potential repercussions of being caught.
Notably, he reportedly said, “I have everything to lose.” Mahr was apprehended after traveling to meet the supposed teenager, who turned out to be an undercover officer.
Authorities indicated there was no prior investigation into Mahr. In a statement, the Metropolitan Police Department referred to the claims as “deeply disturbing” and contrary to the department’s values. They noted that once the criminal investigation is concluded, their Internal Affairs Division would look into any policy violations.
On Wednesday, Mahr was denied bail. During the hearing, prosecutors labeled him a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
Amanda Rodriguez, CEO of Rape Crisis Turnaround, referred to the allegations as “horrible,” emphasizing the trust children place in law enforcement. She expressed that this situation is not just tragic but profoundly horrific and urged the need for accountability in positions of authority to maintain trust.
