Hours-long police activity outside a house in Huntley involving a search warrant on Thursday led to the arrest of a resident accused of distributing and possessing child sexual abuse material.
The Huntley Police Department announced the arrest of Alexander Grant, 45, of Huntley, and said he has been charged with 13 counts of child pornography.
The department first began investigating Grant after receiving information in July from the Batavia Police Department, according to Huntley Deputy Police Chief Kevin Keane.
The agency reported that an Internet Protocol (IP) address in Huntley was hosting a peer-to-peer network with child pornography for download.
The Huntley Police Department’s Investigations Division conducted an investigation that led to the identification of Grant as the offender, Keane said.
Huntley police detectives and Illinois Attorney General’s Office investigators, along with the assistance of the Illinois State Police, Batavia Police Department and a Lake County Sheriff’s Canine Unit, served a search warrant in the 9100 block of Ramsdell Street in Huntley where Grant resides.
The police department issued a community alert regarding the police activity in the Talamore subdivision.
“This is a local matter that does not involve federal agencies, and there is no threat to the public,” the agency said. “We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as officers continue their investigation.”
Police were seen at the residence throughout the entire morning.
Investigators completed an examination of several seized electronic devices.
Grant was taken into custody based on evidence gained during the search, Keane said.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges the explicit material, the majority of which involved children 13 years old or younger, was distributed through the internet using BitTorrent software.
Several of the files involved videos and some were in excess of 30 minutes long.
Grant was charged with 10 counts of distributing child pornography, a Class X felony; two counts of possession of child pornography, a Class 2 felony; and one count of possession of child pornography, a Class 3 felony.
He was transported to McHenry County Jail and the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain him. He is awaiting a detention hearing on Friday afternoon.
Keane said the case is still an active investigation and no further details are available for release.
Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the Huntley Police Department at 847-515-5311.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling the Huntley Police Tip Line at 847-515-5333.