Detectives have arrested a Lake Villa man who was found with dozens of images and videos of violent child sexual abuse, which a judge called “extremely disturbing.”
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Cybercrime Detectives initiated an investigation after they became aware of explicit material involving children being shared from an electronic device in unincorporated Lake Villa.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Chief Christopher Covelli said detectives learned the device was located at a home in the 39100 block of North Rustic Drive in unincorporated Lake Villa.
Sheriff’s detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence during their investigation.
Detectives, along with Lake County Sheriff’s Office Electronic Detection Canine Enzo, searched for electronics that were storing the material, Covelli said.
Sheriff’s detectives seized a cell phone belonging to Christian J. Phillips, 33, who lives in the home, which contained dozens of images and videos of violent child sexual abuse material, Covelli said.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Nicholas Shepherd said approximately 60 files of the material were recovered. Numerous of them were videos.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved seven counts of possession of child sexual abuse material, a Class 2 felony, and Phillips was arrested by sheriff’s detectives.
“Our Cybercrime Team, consisting of detectives and K9 Enzo, has tremendous training, advanced investigative tools, and extensive experience investigating those who sexually exploit children online,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said.
“We remain committed to identifying these offenders, holding them accountable, and working alongside our law enforcement partners to protect the children of Lake County from exploitation,” Idleburg said.
Phillips appeared for a detention hearing on Tuesday afternoon and Lake County Judge Ari Fisz granted a petition to detain filed by the state’s attorney’s office.
Fisz said he believes Phillips is a danger to children in the community and called the material found “extremely disturbing” acts being perpetrated against children.
An attorney for Phillips argued for his release from custody, saying that investigators raided Phillips’ home, where he lives with his parents, over a year ago before bringing charges.
Phillips has minimal criminal history and works full-time, the attorney said, adding that his client has not fled despite knowing about the ongoing investigation.
Phillips remains held in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court again on August 12 for a preliminary hearing.