Capitol Police officer arrested in child pornography sting

A veteran Capitol Police officer was arrested Thursday by Virginia police and charged with possession and distribution of child pornography.

Manassas police arrested Sgt. Dennis Bell, 55, at his home on Thursday after a four-month investigation in conjunction with the FBI allegedly uncovered that he had been trafficking child pornography over the Internet. Several computers containing child pornography were seized during the arrest, according to Manassas police.

{mosads}Bell, who has been with the Capitol Police for 27 years, was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation and his court appearance, which is expected to be held on May 25.

Bell worked in the department’s communications division, said Capitol Police spokeswoman Sgt. Kimberly Schneider. Bell is currently being held in jail on a $20,000 bond.

A similar incident occurred four years ago when Capitol Police Sgt. Michael Malloy was arrested for enticing a girl under the age of 16 to engage in sexually explicit conduct to produce child pornography. In 2008, Malloy was sentenced to 15 years in jail.