Investigators say a Lindenhurst man has been arrested for possessing over 1,000 images and videos depicting violent child sexual abuse and allegedly trading them online.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Cybercrime Unit received information that an IP address in Lake County was uploading child pornography online.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said sheriff’s detectives conducted further investigation showing the IP address was registered at a home in the 300 block of North Crooked Lake Lane in Lindenhurst.
Sheriff’s detectives presented the case facts to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office who approved a search warrant for the house.
A Lake County judge signed and authorized the search warrant.
Members of the Lake County Sheriff’s Cybercrime Unit, Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Cybercrime Unit and Illinois Attorney General’s Office Cybercrime Unit conducted the warrant at the residence on Tuesday.
Investigators determined Aaron J. Stiegel, 25, who lives at the home, was responsible for downloading, uploading and storing child pornography, Covelli said.
Some of the images and videos he possessed contained children under the age of 10 being “sadistically sexually assaulted,” Covelli said.
Covelli said the investigation revealed that Stiegel likely traded child pornography with others across the country.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the charges of five counts of possessing child pornography, a Class 2 felony, against Stiegel. Additional charges are anticipated to be filed.
Sheriff’s detectives are conducting further investigation into the individuals Stiegel shared child pornography with and leads will be sent to appropriate law enforcement agencies, Covelli said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office is filing a petition to detain Stiegel in custody while awaiting trial.
Stiegel remains held in custody at the Lake County Jail pending a First Appearance Court hearing on Wednesday morning.