A Crystal Lake man was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of sexual assault and possessing child pornography on Tuesday.
Anthony T. Franklin, 38, of the 500 block of Somerset Lane in Crystal Lake, was charged with numerous counts of unlawful possession of child pornography and two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under 13.
Prosecutors said that the Crystal Lake Police Department began investigating child pornography allegations against Franklin in December 2017. The tip came from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Police conducted a search warrant at Franklin’s home where they found evidence of child pornography, according to prosecutors. The investigation also led to allegations of sexual assault.
Franklin took a plea deal from prosecutors by pleading guilty to one count of predatory criminal sexual assault and one count of possessing child pornography.
McHenry County Judge Michael Coppedge sentenced the man to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for child pornography and eight years for the sexual assault, records show.
Franklin will be required to register as a sex offender for his natural life.
The case was investigated by Detectives Eitel and Will and other members of the Crystal Lake Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Susanne Groebner of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.