Canine Joins The Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office

‘Duke’ will be part of the Cyber Crimes Task Force.Justin Walters, and K9 Duke ((Photo from Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office)Frederick, Md (KM) The newest member of the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office has four legs. He’s a canine named Duke and his handler is Justin Walters. Both have returned from a two-week training in Electronic Storage Detection.Duke can stiff out a chemical compound known as tripphenylphospine which is found on digital devices that have circuit boards, such as laptops, cell phones and hard drives. The State’s Attorney’s Office says Duke and his handler will be part of the Cyber Crimes Task Force which handles crimes against children. They’re expected to be a tremendous asset in making sure that digital devices are recovered successfully when executing search and seizure warrants, the State’s Attorney’s Office says.”It is such a rewarding feeling to know that K9 Duke and I will help make a difference in bringing justice to some of the most innocent and vulnerable victims,” says Walters in a statement.An organization called Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) provided funding for the purchase of the canine, and training for the dog and its handler. The non-profit works to protect children from  sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. O.U.R. will continue to support the K9 team by  funding annual recertification for the  ESD K9, as well as some veterinary bills and other expenses.”We are grateful to O.U.R. for this partnership,” says State’s Attorney Charlie Smith, in a statement. “There is no doubt that this team  will  help bolster investigations, which in turn will lead to convictions and ultimately to holding internet predators accountable behind bars where they belong.”By Kevin McManus