Maryland Police Use Drone to Arrest Sex Trafficking Suspect

Robert Eakins, 31, was found hiding under a porch and also wanted for armed robbery.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:18am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of handcuffs against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the apprehension of a suspect through the use of emerging law enforcement technology.The use of drones by police to locate and apprehend suspects involved in serious crimes like sex trafficking raises both investigative and privacy concerns.Laurel Today

A 31-year-old Maryland man named Robert Eakins has been arrested and charged with sex trafficking and prostitution offenses after police used a drone to locate him hiding under a porch in Laurel, Maryland. Eakins was also wanted in connection with an armed robbery in Charles County.

Why it matters

The use of drones by law enforcement to assist in criminal investigations, particularly for hard-to-find suspects, is a relatively new tactic that raises privacy concerns but can also help apprehend dangerous individuals. This case highlights how emerging technologies are being leveraged to combat serious crimes like sex trafficking.

The details

Police said the sex trafficking investigation led them to a home in Laurel, Maryland, where they deployed a drone to locate Eakins hiding under a porch. He was then arrested and charged with sex trafficking and prostitution offenses. Eakins was also wanted for an armed robbery that occurred in Charles County.

  • Eakins was arrested on April 1, 2026.
  • The sex trafficking investigation that led to Eakins' arrest began prior to his apprehension.

The players

Robert Eakins

A 31-year-old Maryland resident who was arrested and charged with sex trafficking and prostitution offenses, as well as being wanted for an armed robbery.

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What’s next

Eakins will face trial on the sex trafficking and prostitution charges, as well as the armed robbery warrant from Charles County.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates how law enforcement is increasingly utilizing emerging technologies like drones to assist in criminal investigations and apprehend suspects, though the use of such tools raises important privacy concerns that will continue to be debated.