Md. man sentenced for sexually soliciting minor

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – A Maryland man has been sentenced to seven years behind bars for sexual solicitation of a minor.

The investigation began in June of 2019, when Maryland State Police began utilizing the persona of a 14-year-old female. Over the course of five days, conversation between the officer and Mark Russell reportedly became sexually explicit. Russell agreed to meet the officer in Princess Anne, and even rented a hotel room for sexual purposes.

On June 23, 2019, Russell traveled to the hotel from his residence in Laurel, MD, and was arrested.

Russell was convicted of sexual solicitation of a minor on January 29, 2020, and on June 9th he was sentenced to seven years. Russell is also awaiting a violation of probation in federal court for a similar offense.