A real estate company executive from Lake Zurich has been arrested for downloading thousands of files of child sexual abuse as prosecutors say he was among the “top 10 downloaders” in the state at one point.
Investigators with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office arrested Randall R. Grueb, 59, of Lake Zurich, for possessing videos and images of child pornography, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
Cybercrime investigators from the sheriff’s office and the state’s attorney’s office received information that an electronic device in Lake County was being used for the purpose of downloading and sharing child pornography.
Covelli said investigators conducted an investigation and learned the device was likely at a residence in the 800 block of Interlaken Drive in Lake Zurich where Grueb resides.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence, which was conducted on Thursday.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Electronic Detection Canine Enzo and Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office Electronic Detection Canine Grip assisted with the search.
Electronic devices belonging to Grueb were seized and analyzed during the search, Covelli said.
The analysis revealed Grueb likely downloaded thousands of images of child pornography over recent months, Covelli said.
The material included videos and images of children, ranging from toddlers to teens, being sexually abused.
He was still in possession of over 100 of those images and videos when investigators conducted their analysis, Covelli said.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen McConnell said Grueb was among the top 10 downloaders of child sexual abuse material in the entire state of Illinois from October to February.
McConnell described in court the sophisticated nature of how Grueb downloaded and distributed the explicit material utilizing peer-to-peer networks.
Grueb admitted to investigators to downloading and viewing child pornography for over five years. He told investigators he “could not help himself” when they asked why he did so, McConnell said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved 10 counts of possession of child pornography. Additional charges for distribution of the material are possible.
“Our Cybercrime Unit remains relentless in identifying and arresting those who exploit children online,” Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said.
“Possessing and distributing child pornography is a horrific crime, and we will continue working with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure these predators are held accountable. There is no place for this behavior in our community,” Idleburg said.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said those who exploit children through the possession or distribution of child pornography “will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“These crimes are not victimless, every image represents a child who has been abused. We are committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to seek justice for these victims and protect the most vulnerable members of our community,” Rinehart said.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Grueb while he awaits trial and the petition was granted by Lake County Judge Ari Fisz on Friday afternoon.
The judge called Grueb a “prolific” child pornography downloader and noted that he attempted to avoid law enforcement detection when downloading and distributing the material.
Attorney Gregory Nikitas, who is representing Grueb, said his client was “incredibly cooperative” with law enforcement and had sought his client to be released with pre-trial conditions.
Grueb is the Vice President of Development for Newcastle Investors, which is a Chicago-based company that owns a portfolio of multi-family, retail and mixed-use properties.
Grueb remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on August 12 for a preliminary hearing.