Joseph Anthony Catlin - Internet Predator

The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit arrested a Baltimore man in connection with the sexual solicitation of a minor.

The accused is identified as Joseph Anthony Catlin, 31, of the 200 block of South Collington Avenue in Baltimore. He is being charged with one count of sexual solicitation of a minor. If convicted, Catlin could be sentenced up to 10 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.

A trooper assigned to the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force had been conducting an online investigation into Catlin for the last several weeks. The investigation culminated with his arrest after investigators set up a meeting at an undisclosed location in Howard County yesterday evening.

Catlin was taken to the Waterloo Barrack for processing and was taken before a District Court Commissioner who set his bond at $75,000. Catlin is currently being held at the Howard County Detention Center.

The Computer Crimes Unit’s primary mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The unit works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes. The unit is also charged with helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education and community awareness.