Police have announced the arrest of a Huntley man who allegedly distributed child sexual abuse material online following an investigation that prompted heavy police activity in a Huntley subdivision Wednesday.
The Huntley Police Department announced the arrest of John T. Ruffolo, 20, of Huntley, on Thursday morning and said he is facing 17 counts of possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in July provided the Huntley Police Department with information that was obtained from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children data system, according to Huntley Deputy Police Chief Kevin Keane.
The tip involved a Huntley-based IP address that was attempting to share potential child sexual abuse materials for download via a cloud-based client-server service.
The Huntley Police Department’s Investigations Division conducted an investigation that led to the identification of the offender as Ruffolo, Keane said.
Huntley police detectives and Illinois Attorney General investigators, with the assistance of the Illinois State Police and Lake County Sheriff’s Office Canine Enzo, conducted a court-authorized search warrant at Ruffolo’s residence in the 10800 block of Grand Canyon Avenue in Huntley.
A resident told Lake and McHenry County Scanner the heavy police presence was in the area of Haligus Road and Grand Canyon Avenue in Huntley and he witnessed the activity while walking his dog.
There were marked squad cars and unmarked vans with approximately 15 officers roaming around a home.
The resident, who lives in the same neighborhood, said a brief standoff occurred before a man wearing a black hoodie and orange shorts was escorted from the home into a squad car.
Keane said Ruffolo agreed to come to the police department while investigators completed an examination and analysis of several seized electronic devices.
He was later placed under arrest based on evidence gathered during the search.
At least one person on social media who was at the scene in Wing Pointe subdivision said it looked like possible ICE agents along with Huntley police but officials confirmed it was a local matter.
Ruffolo was charged with five counts of distribution of child sexual abuse material, a Class X felony; 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material of a victim under 13, a Class 2 felony; and two counts of possession of child sexual abuse material of a victim under 18, a Class 3 felony.
He was transported to McHenry County Jail and is awaiting an Initial Appearance Court hearing on Friday afternoon. Prosecutors are believed to be filing a petition to detain him pending trial.
Keane said the case is still an active investigation. 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.