An Aberdeen man was arrested after a Harford County Child Advocacy Center investigation developed evidence supporting charges of solicitation of prostitution, sexual solicitation of a minor, and three counts of human trafficking.
The defendant is identified as Jaron Anthonee Darden, 25, of Aberdeen, MD.
Investigators became involved after the victim reported to the Sheriff’s Office that Darden, who at the time was employed as a teacher at Edgewood Middle School, had photographed a body part of the student at his residence and uploaded the photographs to a fetish social media account that he operated. Darden later paid the victim to complete a sex act on him. The student did not complete the sex act, and instead notified the Sheriff’s Office.
Darden was served on an arrest warrant was transported to the Harford County Detention Center. He was released on $5,000 bond after an initial appearance with a District Court Commissioner.
Anyone with information relating to Darden or this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Carey Gerres 410-638-3294.
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The Harford County Child Advocacy Center is the recognized community expert for Harford County, Maryland in the areas of child abuse, exploitation, and maltreatment. Through commitment, advocacy and collaboration they investigate, educate and serve to heal victims of child maltreatment and their families. Through outreach with their community they stop abuse when it happens and prevent abuse before it begins. The CAC’s multidisciplinary team consists of members of the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office, Harford County Department of Social Services, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police, and the Aberdeen, Bel Air and Havre de Grace Police Departments. The CAC provides specialized medical evaluations and treatment through partnership with a local pediatrician and trauma-focused mental health services through partnership with Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland. For more information about the Harford County Child Advocacy Center, visit their website at www.harfordcac.org.
The Harford County Child Advocacy Center is an affiliate member of the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. This is a combined effort of law enforcement and prosecutors involving agencies across Maryland that is funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. Task force investigators focus on identifying those involved in child pornography via the Internet and other related crimes that victimize children.