A Maryland judge killed himself Friday morning as police arrived at his home in Henderson to arrest him on allegations of child sexual abuse. Jonathan Newell, 50, had been on leave since July because a young boy told his parents that he found a hidden camera in the shower at Newell’s fishing cabin, where he had been staying.

After the investigation launched, Newell managed to eat one of the memory cards. It was later found in his stomach. Other digital devices were also seized that contained footage of young boys at Newell’s cabin. Footage of the teenage boys showering that dated back to September 2014, and in one clip Newell can be seen touching the naked body of a young man and spreading his buttocks in what he told them was a search for ticks. 

Newell was the county state attorney from 2003 to 2016. In 2016, Judge Newell became a federal judge. Concerned parents made the report after two boys spent the night at Newell’s cabin and said that they had found a hidden camera and that a man and four other boys had been at the cabin with them. Police searched the property and found several video cameras, in the showers. They spoke to seven teenagers, born between 2002 and 2007 about their relationship with Newell and they told investigators that Newell would make them strip naked so he could ‘search them for ticks. Newell told police that 10 ‘members’ had access to the cabin, and that they ‘come and go.’ Newell denied placing a camera in the bathroom or seeing it, telling the officers: ‘Like I said, there was six other people here.’ 

Minding Hearts is building advocacy and peer support groups in each state.  The groups are created to raise awareness, educate, and advocate for those that might not otherwise be heard. We are here for encouragement, education, and support. We cannot give legal advice, but we can try and direct you in the right direction with your case. Links to legal services are listed with their states. Please share and let’s grow our groups. We are here to support families and develop resources that maintain family integrity. We look forward to your support. If you would rather become active by donating, then visit the donation page.