Articles Posted in Child Pornography

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In Illinois, accusations related to the manufacturing of child pornography are taken extremely seriously, governed by stringent laws aimed at curbing this grave offense. The statutes relevant to these charges are found primarily under 720 ILCS 5/11-20.1, which defines the manufacturing, dissemination, or possession of child pornography. Under this statute, ‘manufacturing’ refers to the production or creation of visual depictions involving a child engaged in sexual conduct. Given the sensitive nature of the subject and the severe repercussions of a conviction, comprehending the legal definitions and potential consequences is critical for anyone involved in such a case.

The law clearly outlines what constitutes child pornography and sets strict penalties for those found guilty of manufacturing it. The definition extends beyond the mere production of such materials to include soliciting a minor to participate or persuading, coercing, or forcing a minor into being photographed or filmed in a sexually explicit manner. The legal framework is designed to protect minors from exploitation, reflecting society’s commitment to safeguarding children from abuse and exploitation.

Potential Penalties and Consequences

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Facing accusations of possession of child pornography is a gravely serious matter that carries substantial legal consequences under Illinois law. Individuals charged with such offenses confront not only the possibility of severe penal sanctions but also enduring personal and professional damage. Understanding the legal framework, potential defenses, and the importance of skilled legal representation is crucial for anyone involved in such a case.

Legal Framework and Definitions Under Illinois Law

Illinois Statutes on Child Pornography:

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A Chicago man who pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography charges was sentenced to 15 years behind bars. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Police Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) arrested a 41-year-old man on charges of possessing child pornography in October of 2022. He had already been arrested and was on probation for possession of child pornography from a previous offense that occurred in 2017. The defendant was also convicted of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor in 2001 and was a registered sex offender.

Before his arrest, ICAC tipped off authorities concerning downloads the defendant had made of explicit materials involving children under the age of 13. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography of a child under the age of 13. With a felony already on his record, the crime was charged as a class-1 felony. 

What Constitutes Child Pornography Under Illinois State Law?

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Dozens of people are facing charges after federal authorities conducted a sweep of the messaging app Telegram. Such messaging apps are becoming popular for sharing criminal material, according to authorities, especially child pornography. The initiative was called “Operation Swipe Left.” 

As a result, more than two dozen people are facing charges for accessing the encrypted chatrooms where such material is shared. In this case, authorities found access to live-streamed sex abuse materials. In one case, authorities raided a home to find the man playing a video depicting an infant being abused. Four children were rescued as abuse was occurring. 

Determining Penalties for These Charges

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A former Dixmoor police officer is being held on $1 million bail after being found in possession of dozens of images of child pornography. The officer faces three felony charges related to the possession of child pornography. Police found 35 images on his phone. In some cases, the girls pictured on the phone were described as “prepubescent.” 

In some states, you can be charged for each image found in your possession. In Illinois, they will charge you for each depiction of a minor. In this case, three victims were found on the defendant’s phone. Hence, he is facing three felony charges related to the possession of child pornography. The same girl was found in several of the pictures. Police will track down the victim to determine if more criminal charges are justified. If the defendant created the pornography, then that is another crime the state can add to the ledger. 

Police were tipped off when child pornography was found in the account of the defendant’s email. The tip was sent to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which forwarded the tip to law enforcement, which confronted the officer and seized three phones from his possession, all of which contained the files in the tip. 

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Notable actor Jerry Harris, who skyrocketed to fame after his appearance in Netflix’s “Cheer” docuseries, is facing charges related to child pornography. The Cook County native is alleged to have solicited sexual pictures and videos from boys as young as 13 years old at cheerleading competitions. 

Harris has been on talk shows, the Oscars, and has more than 1 million followers on Instagram.

Harris Arrested by the FBI

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A former Chicago Public Schools football coach has been accused of sexual misconduct with one of his players. This individual is also accused of taking nude photos of the student and then posting those photos in the victim’s apartment building and in areas that would be on the way to his school. 

Curtis Thomas worked at the Bronzeville Scholastic Institute High School when the alleged assault occurred. His official title was “school community representative.” Thomas was fired in 2014 and placed on a “do not hire” list. 

CPS officials are not speaking publicly about the incident. They refused to indicate whether Thomas was a football coach on the team when the student was assaulted. Prosecutors, however, said that Thomas was among the football coaches on the team at the time of the assault. The boy was 15 in 2010 when the assault occurred. 

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marco-chilese-2sMbKyQvom4-unsplash-copy-200x300R. Kelly has been denied a request to seek release from jail during the coronavirus outbreak. The disgraced singer’s attorneys filed a request for bond with the U.S. District Court in Chicago. Attorneys for Kelly claimed that because of his advanced age (53) he was at high risk of contracting and suffering severe symptoms of the coronavirus. Kelly’s attorneys also stated that hand sanitizer and soap are difficult to find at the present moment and that inmates are kept in small cells and are not practicing social distancing.

Nonetheless, the court rejected Kelly’s request and the embattled pop star is not elderly enough to be considered in the high-risk group. Kelly had also undergone a recent surgery for a hernia, but the court ruled that it did not place him in a substantially higher risk group than others. Lastly, federal authorities reported that the prison has enough soap and hand sanitizer for everyone. The final nail in the coffin was that there were no reports of the virus among inmates.

Prosecutors Cite Kelly as a Flight Risk

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joshua-coleman-ZVkDLrXGMdw-unsplash-copy-300x208Federal agents have seized 100 electronic devices after executing a search warrant of R. Kelly’s property. The seizure has resulted in a postponement of R. Kelly’s trial while investigators and prosecutors determine whether or not there is any new information that can potentially be used to charge Kelly with more crimes. 

The information came out during a routine arraignment during which Kelly was being charged with abusing a minor victim over the course of four years beginning in 1997. 

The trial had been set for April 27 but is now likely to be postponed while investigators determine whether or not there is anything actionable on the iPads, cell phones, and other electronic devices found in the raid. 

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glenn-carstens-peters-npxXWgQ33ZQ-unsplash-copy-300x200A Wheeling School District middle school teacher is facing charges of possession of child pornography, dissemination of child pornography, and unlawful video recording. Each of these is a felony. The Illinois State Attorney General’s office released a statement concerning Scott Pollack (45) of Lake in the Hills. Pollack’s residence was searched and the search uncovered evidence of alleged child pornography.

If convicted, Pollack would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 54 years behind bars. Below, we will take a look at each of the charges.

Possession of Child Pornography

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