Washington D.C. Officer Arrested For Taking Pictures of 15-year-old Girl

A Washington D.C. officer was arrested Monday on charges of producing child pornography.

Marc Washington, a D.C. officer since 2006, allegedly took photographs of a 15-year-old girl during a missing persons investigation, ABC News reported. Washington was apprehended soon after the accusations arose.

"To learn of an allegation of this kind against a person who is sworn to protect our children, it is both shocking and disturbing," Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said in a press release. "We are fortunate that someone came forward to alert us of this behavior to ensure that we prevent future victims," Lanier said.

The police were informed about Washington's actions when the young girl's mother called the police, NBC News reported. Before Washington allegedly took the pictures, he first went to the girl because she was reported missing by her mother. The girl eventually came home, NBC News reported, but later that same day Washington returned to her home to speak with the girl in private.

Reports indicate Washington proceeded to coax the girl to take her clothes off. According to ABC News, he then took pictures of her with his digital camera, claiming it was protocol for him to take pictures of her injuries. The girl did not have any injuries.

The girl told her mother what happened and she called the police. Police found other pictures of nude girls on Washington's camera after he was arrested.

Despite Washington's actions, Lanier doesn't want the public to lose faith in the authorities.

"We invest a great amount of time and effort to ensure that we are hiring the right people," Lanier said in a press release, "and we continue to proactively monitor integrity across the department."

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating Washington's past to see if he has carried out any similar acts.

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