A Crystal Lake man has been convicted at trial after prosecutors say he distributed private sexual images of a woman without her permission.
William Mitchell, 40, of Crystal Lake, was charged in October with one count of nonconsensual dissemination of a sexual image, a Class 4 felony.
A grand jury indictment said Mitchell intentionally disseminated an image of a woman around August 6, 2020.
The woman was identifiable in the photo and her intimate parts were exposed, the indictment said.
Mitchell “knew or should have known” that the woman had not consented to the dissemination of the image, the indictment said.
Prosecutors said Mitchell sent the private sexual images through text message in August 2020.
The victim later became aware of it and contacted the Crystal Lake Police Department.
Law enforcement began an investigation by conducting interviews and obtaining cell phone records.
Prosecutors said officers were able to confirm Mitchell sent the compromising photos to a mutual friend without the victim’s consent.
A bench trial was held on Monday and concluded the same day.
McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt found Mitchell guilty of the offense and continued the case for sentencing, court records show.
After the verdict, McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally said he expresses his “gratitude to the officers of the Crystal Lake Police Department and McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Tyler Mikan for their thorough investigation and commitment to the safety of our residents.”
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 19.