A McHenry man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after investigators served a search warrant last year and found he had disseminated child pornography online.
The National Center of Missing and Exploited Children in August 2022 notified the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office after receiving information from the Internet Crimes Against Children data system.
The report was regarding the possible possession of child pornography by a subscriber.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said they initiated an investigation after receiving the tip.
The investigation led to the identification of the offender, Justin R. Griletz, 39, and investigators verified his possession and dissemination of child pornography, the sheriff’s office said.
Members of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division served a search warrant and arrest warrant early in the morning on February 9, 2023, in the 4800 block of William Street in unincorporated McHenry.
Griletz was taken into custody as a result of the arrest warrant.
He was charged with dissemination of child pornography, a Class X felony, two counts of possession of child pornography, a Class 2 felony, and possession of child pornography, a Class 3 felony.
Griletz was transported to the McHenry County Jail and ordered held on a $300,000 bond.
He has been held in the jail since his arrest. Court records show he entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office this week.
Griletz pleaded guilty to one count of dissemination of child pornography, a Class X felony. His other less serious charges were dismissed.
McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt approved the plea and sentenced Griletz to 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections pursuant to the plea.
Griletz will receive credit for time served awaiting trial and will serve the sentence at 50% in accordance with truth-in-sentencing guidelines.