Baltimore teacher charged with sexual solicitation of minor

Baltimore teacher charged with sexual solicitation of minor

February 12, 2022

(BALTIMORE, MD) – Maryland State Police arrested a Baltimore County man after an investigation resulted in criminal charges including sexual solicitation of a minor.

The accused is identified as Mark Planamente, 38, of Parkville, Md. He is charged with sexual solicitation of a minor and displaying obscene material to a minor. Planamente was arrested shortly before 11:00 p.m. yesterday at his home without incident. He was brought before a court commissioner for a first appearance and is being held without bond. Additional charges are possible pending further investigation.

The investigation began Friday, February 11, 2022, after investigators with the Maryland State Police’s Computer Crimes Unit received a referral reporting a suspected inappropriate online relationship between a teenage girl and her former teacher. An immediate investigation was launched.

The investigation led to the identification of the suspect and the recovery of evidence which enabled investigators to obtain a search warrant for Planamente’s Parkville residence. The search warrant was served last night by Maryland State Police investigators from the Computer Crimes Unit, Criminal Law Enforcement Division and Golden Ring Barracks, assisted by Homeland Security Investigations.

Investigators have recovered electronic devices which are undergoing forensic examination. Additional charges are pending the outcome of digital forensics, interviews and further investigation.

During the investigation, soldiers learned that Planamente was previously employed as a teacher in the Baltimore County public school system and at Baltimore Catholic High School. At the time of his arrest, he was a teacher at Sisters Academy in Baltimore. School officials have been notified and are assisting Maryland State Police with the investigation. Assistance is also provided by the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Baltimore City Police Department, and the Baltimore County Police Department.

Investigators urge anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact the Maryland State Police assigned to the Computer Crimes Unit/Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at 410-694-4773. Callers can remain confidential.

The Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit coordinates the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. It is a combined law enforcement effort involving the Maryland Police Department, made possible in part by grant funds provided by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth and Youth Services. victims and by a federal grant from the United States Department of Justice. Task Force investigators are focused on identifying those involved in Internet child pornography and other related crimes that victimize children.

Mark Planamente, 38, of Parkville, Maryland

The investigation continues…

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