Comp Attorney Expected to Plead Guilty to Solicitation of Minor

Tuesday, June 6, 2017 | 0

A workers' compensation attorney in Maryland intends to plead guilty to soliciting a minor after a "To Catch A Predator"-style sting operation by police, the Washington Post reports. 

Michael Dobbs
(Montgomery County
Police photo)

Michael Dobbs, 57, allegedly sent lurid messages to a person he met online who he thought was a 15-year-old boy named Brandon, authorities say. After a meetup was arranged, three detectives appeared at the scene and arrested Dobbs.

"Brandon" was a detective who posted a personal ad online titled "young wm seeking older." Dobbs allegedly contacted "Brandon" and began a correspondence that led to his arrest at the supposed meetup point. The correspondence included a cellphone number, a photograph of Dobbs and detailed descriptions of sex acts, court documents say. 

Dobbs practiced criminal defense law, and represented clients in workers' compensation and personal injury cases. Several of his colleagues in the Montgomery County legal community told the Post they were stunned by the accusations. 

Dobbs' plea agreement does not mandate jail time and lays the groundwork for the attorney to possibly have the conviction erased from his record, the Post reports.

View the full story here.