Statement Regarding the Investigation of Deceased Caroline County Circuit Judge Jonathan Newell

Baltimore, Maryland – United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Colonel Woodrow W. Jones III, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police; and Dorchester County State’s Attorney William H. Jones and Caroline County State’s Attorney Joe Riley provided the following statement regarding the investigation of Jonathan Newell:

A federal criminal complaint was signed on September 9, 2021, and unsealed on September 10, 2021, that charged Jonathan Newell with sexual exploitation of a minor to produce child pornography.  Following Newell’s suicide on September 10, 2021, the investigation continued.  Investigators have determined that there were no other individuals involved in the alleged exploitation and that Newell did not distribute any of the images.

The criminal complaint is publicly available, Case No. 1:21-mj-02533-JMC.

A criminal complaint is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by criminal complaint is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

If you or someone you know would like assistance obtaining counseling regarding this matter, please contact the FBI Baltimore Field Office at (410) 265-8080.

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