FREDERICK COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE ANNOUNCES SENTENCES IN TWO INTERCEPT CHILD EXPLOITATION CASES
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 3, 2026
FREDERICK COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE ANNOUNCES SENTENCES IN TWO INTERCEPT CHILD EXPLOITATION CASES
FREDERICK, MD – The Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office announced significant prison sentences in two unrelated child exploitation cases investigated by the INTERCEPT Task Force, reaffirming its commitment to protecting children from online predators and holding offenders accountable.
Andrew Randolph Brock was sentenced after pleading guilty to three counts of Distribution of Child Pornography. The INTERCEPT investigation began after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children received a CyberTip from KIK.
Investigators recovered dozens of files depicting the sexual abuse of young children and determined Brock was actively distributing child sexual abuse material to others while participating in online offender communities. The investigation also revealed that Brock communicated with two 13-year-old children, sent them sexually explicit images, and instructed them on how to evade parental supervision online.
Brock had prior convictions for child pornography offenses and for failing to register as a sex offender. Despite previous treatment and supervision, he continued to offend. The Court sentenced Brock to 30 years of incarceration, suspending all but 10 years to serve at the Department of Corrections.
In a separate INTERCEPT investigation, Steven Victor Danko was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of Sexual Solicitation of a Minor. The investigation began after the victim’s mother reported that Danko had been communicating online with her daughter, beginning when the child was only 12 years old. Investigators traced months of sexually explicit messages in which Danko attempted to persuade the child to meet him, sneak out of her home, and discussed taking her away. Digital forensic evidence confirmed Danko’s identity and recovered deleted communications. The Court sentenced Danko to 20 years of incarceration, suspending all but 7 years to be served at the Department of Corrections.
After their release, both defendants will be required to register as a Tier II Sex Offender and placed on five years of COMET-supervised probation with intensive sex offender treatment and supervision, including GPS and computer monitoring, polygraph testing, and a lifetime prohibition on contact with the victim and no unsupervised contact with minors.
State’s Attorney Charlie Smith praised the work of the INTERCEPT Task Force and emphasized the importance of proactive investigations targeting offenders who exploit children online:
“These cases demonstrate the critical work being done every day by the INTERCEPT Task Force to identify offenders before more children are harmed. Whether through the distribution of child sexual abuse material or the online grooming of children, those who prey on our most vulnerable victims will be identified, prosecuted, and held accountable. We remain committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect children and keep our community safe.”
The INTERCEPT Task Force is a multidisciplinary partnership dedicated to investigating internet-facilitated child exploitation, child sexual abuse material, online enticement, and human trafficking. Through collaboration between prosecutors, local, state, and federal law enforcement, and victim service professionals, the task force works to identify offenders, rescue victims, and prevent future exploitation.
These cases were prosecuted by Deputy State’s Attorney Joyce King.
For additional information, please contact the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Press Contact:
Jacqueline Rottmann
Media Relations Officer
301-600-2972
100 West Patrick Street
Frederick, Maryland 21701
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