Former Anne Arundel County Police Lieutenant James Cifala was sentenced to day to five years in federal prison as expected for “sexting” with a minor and for possession of child pornography.
Cifala was arrested in January for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 16 year old girl. When police searched his home, they discovered unrelated child pornography and were able to identify the indecent photos he sent by comparing the background in the photos to the actual furnishings in his home. Ultimately he was charged with possession of child pornography.
In a plea agreement made last month, Cifala expected to be sentenced to five years. In a statement released by the US Attorney’s office, Rod Rosenstein pointed out the severity of this case, “James Cifala was a sworn law enforcement officer who violated his oath in an egregious manner by engaging in a relationship with a child who was more than 30 years younger.” Prior to the sentence, Cifala was still employed by the police department, but suspended without pay. Cifala resigned from the police department on February 1, 2010.
Cifala and his wife are the owners of the Rita’s Water Ice store on Mayo Road in Edgewater. At one point, the victim worked at the store, but it is not believed that the two were involved in a sexual relationship at that pint.
