Maryland Trump Delegate Charged With Making and Possessing Child Pornography

A Maryland delegate for Donald Trump is facing child pornography charges.

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Complex Original

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A Maryland delegate for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has been indicted on federal child pornography and weapons charges, the Department of Justice announced Thursday. Caleb Andrew Bailey, 30, was charged with illegal possession of a machine gun, unlawful transport of explosives, production and attempted production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.

Authorities started investigating Bailey after he attempted to mail a package in February containing ammunition and explosives, addressed to an unnamed recipient in Wisconsin. The damaged package was spotted by postal inspectors, who notified the authorities to investigate the contents further.​ After arranging to meet with Bailey May 5 to discuss the package, he failed to make the appointment. Federal search warrants were then issued "at adjoining properties associated with Bailey," at which point a machine gun was seized

Between March 2015 and January of this year, the indictment alleges that Bailey engaged in "sexually explicit conduct" with a minor to produce child pornography. Bailey is also accused of possessing child pornography, a charge which potentially adds an additional 10 years to the 30-year maximum prison sentence for production and attempted production of the pornography. The weapons charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years.

The contents of the package, outlined by the Justice Department in a press release, included more than 100 rounds of .50 caliber cartridges and explosive projectiles:

The contents of the package included 119 rounds of reloaded .50 caliber cartridges with M48A1 incendiary projectiles, and 200 rounds of 14.5mm M183A1 spotting projectiles which contain an explosive charge.

Bailey's first hearing is set for May 24 in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. "We strongly condemn these allegations and leave it in the capable hands of law enforcement," Trump campaign spokesperson Hope Hicks told Complex. "He will be replaced immediately." 

Representatives for the Maryland Republican Party did not immediately respond to Complex's request for comment.

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