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CHEVY CHASE - FBI
(web) agents raided a D.C. home Thursday morning and arrested a suspect on child pornography charges.
Richard Harding, a 46-year-old lobbyist, was discovered in an Internet crime sting. Sources say Harding began Internet conversations with someone he thought was an adult pedophile, but it was really an undercover officer. Those sources say Harding exposed himself to the officer via a Web cam before sending graphic images and videos of young boys, even infants, being sexually abused.
"I am shaking, now, I've got two kids teenage boys. I am really disturbed," said Lisa Carr, a neighbor.
Nearby residents, like the Bromwells, couldn't believe the accusations against their neighbor.
"They brought me an Easter lily...nicest people I've ever met; come up and take care of us things we need," said Patricia Bromwell.
But Thursday morning a host of officers and federal agents converged on Harding's home in the 3900 block of Legation Street in Chevy Chase.
Those close to the investigation say the pictures allegedly sent form the home were among some of the "most explicit" child porn images and they've seen in years.
"This is a complete shock to us. It's hard for us to believe," added George Bromwell, a neighbor.
Law enforcement sources say copies of the images and videos will be turned over to the National Center for Missing and Exploited children while detectives work to determine the identities of the child victims, which could be anywhere.
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