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DC police lieutenant pleads guilty in child sex abuse sting

A D.C. police lieutenant has pleaded guilty after being caught in a child sex abuse sting operation in Harford County, Maryland.

Court records show Matthew Mahl, a 23-year veteran with the D.C. police department, was arrested in April after prosecutors said he traded sexually explicit messages with someone he believed was a 15-year-old boy.

Mahl provided his real name during the text messages, and shared that he was a lieutenant involved in presidential escorts, according to court documents cited by at the time of the arrest. In addition to sexually explicit photos, Mahl sent a photo of himself in uniform.

Prosecutors said Mahl discussed the 15-year-old’s age and said he could lose everything if caught. Mahl arranged to meet the teen after school — when he arrived, he was taken into custody.

as part of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office partnership with the “Takedown with Chris Hansen” series, which documents child predator sting investigations.

One of the most disturbing, upsetting and dangerous busts in any sting ever! DC Metro PD Lt Matthew Mahl…who had Presidential security duty…caught in the act! The latest shocking episode of with is out now streaming on

Mahl pleaded guilty to two felony counts of solicitation of a minor on Aug. 7, in Harford County Circuit Court.

Judge Elizabeth Bowen ordered Mahl undergo a psychiatric evaluation before he’s sentenced on Sept. 30. He remains held without bond.

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Neal Augenstein

Neal Augenstein has been a general assignment reporter with СÂÜÀòÓ°ÊÓ since 1997. He says he looks forward to coming to work every day, even though that means waking up at 3:30 a.m.

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