ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A 42-year-old Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Deputy, Anthony Nickoles of Pasadena, Maryland, was arrested on March 26, 2025, by detectives from the Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Child Abuse Unit, following an investigation into alleged sexual abuse of a minor dating back to 2016. The arrest, executed without incident in Annapolis, stems from a case first reported to authorities on March 3, 2025, when the Sheriff’s Office alerted the police department’s Major Crimes Unit about the accusations against one of its deputies.
The investigation, handled by the Child and Vulnerable Abuse Unit, uncovered details of incidents alleged to have occurred nine years prior. On March 26, detectives applied for charges through the Anne Arundel County Court Commissioner, which issued a warrant listing multiple offenses: sexual abuse of a minor, third-degree sexual offense, two counts of fourth-degree sexual offense, and two counts of second-degree assault. Nickoles was taken into custody the same day, with the Sheriff’s Office confirming the allegations are unrelated to his duties as a law enforcement officer.
The Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Office has emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability throughout the process. The Office of Professional Compliance is actively cooperating with the police department’s Criminal Investigation Division as the case progresses.
The charges against Nickoles include two felonies—sexual abuse of a minor and third-degree sexual offense—alongside the misdemeanor counts. In Maryland, sexual abuse of a minor carries a potential penalty of up to 25 years in prison, while third-degree sexual offense can result in up to 10 years, according to state law outlined by the Maryland Courts. The case remains under active investigation, with authorities encouraging anyone with additional information to contact the Child Abuse Unit at 410-222-4733.
This incident adds to a series of recent cases involving Maryland public servants facing similar allegations. In May 2024, an Anne Arundel County elementary school teacher, Matthew Schlegel, was charged with sexually assaulting multiple students, as reported by Fox 5 DC. Earlier, in July 2023, a Northeast High School teacher, Karl Walls, faced charges for sexual abuse of students, per Anne Arundel County Government. These cases highlight ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to address such crimes, irrespective of the accused’s position.
