ADELPHI, Md. — A Prince George’s County firefighter is accused of using his own firehouse’s Wi-Fi to upload child pornography, according to charging documents.
Prince George’s County police arrested and charged Joshua Edmund Murphy, 35, of Brunswick, on Oct. 24, 2025, with 16 counts related to the possession and distribution of child pornography. Murphy, who is employed by Prince George’s County Fire/EMS and was promoted to lieutenant on July 13, faces seven counts of distribution, one solicitation-related count under state law and eight counts of possession, court records show.
Investigators wrote that the case began with an alert from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding an upload to the platform Kik. Detectives traced the activity to the internet account of Chillum Firehouse Company 44 on Riggs Road and, specifically, to a phone belonging to Murphy, according to the documents.
Murphy was ordered held without bond after hearings on Friday and Monday before District Court Judge Erik Nyce in Upper Marlboro. A preliminary hearing is set for Friday, Nov. 21, at 8:45 a.m. in Prince George’s District Court, courtroom 261.
The listed arresting officer is Officer Culbreth of the Prince George’s County Police Department’s District III station in Palmer Park, records state.
The investigation is ongoing. Authorities said additional information will be released as it becomes available. Murphy is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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I have grave concerns about capital punishment BUT if someone is found guilty of charges like this guy let it be the punishment. Animals who commit crimes against children have an extremely high rate of recidivism. Also it’s almost a given that when finally arrested it isn’t the first time they’ve done this just the first time caught. They’ve shown they can’t control themselves by indulging in crimes that are universally reviled and care naught about society. Don’t give them a second chance.