D.C. police lieutenant charged in Maryland with sexually soliciting a minor and child pornography

Authorities in a Maryland county have charged a D.C. police lieutenant with sexually soliciting a minor and soliciting child sexual abuse material.

Prosecutors in Harford County accuse Metropolitan Police Lt. Matthew Mahl, 47, of La Plata, Maryland, of solicitation between March 13 and Tuesday, according to court records.

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office arrested Lt. Mahl on Tuesday. He made an initial appearance in court and is being held without bond.

The Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement to WRC-TV that they were made aware of the case against Lt. Mahl, a 23-year veteran of the department and former chair of the DC Police Union, on the day of his arrest.

The department put Lt. Mahl on administrative leave and stripped him of his police powers.

“The allegations in this case are extremely disturbing, and in direct contrast to the values of the Metropolitan Police Department. MPD’s Internal Affairs Division will investigate violations of MPD policy once the criminal investigation concludes,” the department said, according to WRC-TV.

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office has not publicized any details about the accusations against Lt. Mahl or the circumstances surrounding his arrest.