Paul David Bollinger. (Baltimore County Police)
A 56-year-old gymnastics coach has been arrested after police said they found thousands of images and videos depicting child pornography at his Maryland home.
Paul Daniel Bollinger was arrested Wednesday after Baltimore County Police raided his home in Windsor Mill, according to a press release.
The investigation began earlier in May when a detective with the Baltimore County Police Crimes Against Children Unit “developed information on the possible distribution of child pornography online.”
Here’s what you need to know:
1. More Than 30,000 Images & Videos of Child Pornography Were Found at Bollinger’s Home, Police Say
A search of Paul David Bollinger’s house revealed more than 30,000 images and videos of child pornography, the Baltimore County Police said in a press release on Thursday.
The images and videos were found on a computer and numerous digital media storage devices, police said.
Bollinger lives in the 76000 block of Gladstone Road in Windsor Mills, which is in Howard County, Maryland, police said. He was arrested after the raid.
“The computer and numerous digital media storage devices recovered during the search warrant will undergo a detailed forensic examination by the Baltimore County Police Digital and Multimedia Evidence Unit,” police said.
2. Police Say He Writes Stories About Raping Children & One Cop Called What They Found ‘the Most Disturbing & Sick Thing I’ve Ever Come Across’
Police said “further investigation has indicated” that Bollinger is sexually attracted to children. Investigators also said they found evidence that Bollinger writes stories about raping children, according to police.
“I’ve been in law enforcement for 21 years, and this is absolutely the most disturbing and sick thing I’ve ever come across,” Baltimore County Police Corporal John Wachter told WBAL-TV. “He has a sexual attraction to children, and he even writes stories about having sex with children.
The investigation is still ongoing.
“Anyone with information on the suspect or this case is asked to call police at 410-307-2020,” police said.
3. He Has Been a Coach for 25 Years, Most Recently at Top Flight Gymnastics
Bollinger has been a gymnastics coach for 25 years, the Baltimore County Police said. He has most recently worked as an instructor at Top Flight Gymnastics in Columbia, Maryland.
Top Flight Gymnastics has not commented about the arrest.
According to its website, “Top Flight Gymnastics Center offers a fully air-conditioned 20,000 square foot facility that includes a full line of men and women’s equipment for recreational and competitive students. Progressive preschool equipment is utilized to provide safe and fun gymnastics experiences for younger students.”
4. Police Found a Photo of a Former Gymnastics Student That Was ‘Not Pornographic’ in Bollinger’s Files
Detectives said they found a pictures of a girl that was “not pornographic” during their search of Bollinger’s files on Wednesday.
The girl has been identified as a former Top Flight student, police said. Police have contacted the girl’s family as part of the investigation.
But police say there is no evidence found so far showing that Bollinger was producing child pornography.
“We just have so many pictures that we have to look at, as I said, over 30,000. There’s going to be a lot more than that, maybe almost double. We don’t know yet,” Corpoal John Wachter told WBAL-TV.
5. Bollinger Is Being Held on $2.5 Million Bail
Bollinger is being held on $2.5 million bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center, police said. He was charged with possession and distribution of child pornography, police said.
The case was investigated by the Baltimore County Crimes Against Children Unit, which is part of the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
“The Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force comprises police agencies from around the state. Its primary mission is to protect children from computer-facilitated sexual exploitation. The Task Force works cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to provide resources to combat these crimes. Additionally, the Task Force provides community awareness campaigns helping to prevent the spread of these crimes through education,” police said.
